European clubs want help in dealing with environmental
issues. The influential European Clubs’ Association surveyed its
600-plus members for what it felt were their wider sustainability priorities
across 11 specific topics.

Surprisingly, climate and advocacy came much lower down than
equality and inclusion, anti-racism and child and youth protection.

The ECA’s head of sustainability Gaia Pretner doesn’t
believe the survey shows clubs are dismissive of the problem, more highlighting
their lack of answers.

“We asked clubs where they felt they were stronger and where
they felt they needed more help and it was so evident the environmental area
was where they feel they need help and support,” she said.

In December, the ECA said it had offset emissions created by
its General Assembly in Berlin in September.

Pretner accepts ‘offsetting is not the best strategy’ but
wanted to find a benchmark from which the ECA could ‘start the framework for
launching the sustainability strategy’.

She accepts reducing emissions is the best way forward,
although the ECA believe that realistically, at a time when European
competitions are expanding, trying to implement best practice on a
match-by-match basis is more achievable than simply stopping the development of
the game.

And, according to Malmo chief executive Niclas Carlnen, some
methods of carbon reduction have negative spin-off in other humanitarian areas.

“When we built our club, we also built hope and
togetherness,” he said. “In Malmo we have 185 different nationalities.

“Yes, opening the door for more clubs has an effect on the
environment but it also has a positive effect on the local society. You need to
find prioritisation within sustainability.

“If we are able to be positive role models and do good
things in terms of taking care of refugees or other things in our society,
hopefully others will follow and society can become a little bit better.”