Arsenal Football Club is a household name in the world of soccer. It’s known not just for its beautiful game, but also for doing things with purpose and pride.
Back in 2021, the club added another feather to its cap. Arsenal officially became the first Premier League club to join the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.
That’s right; the Gunners are not just aiming for the top of the league, but they are also aiming for a greener planet. This move has been a major milestone for both the club and English football as a whole. It signals a growing awareness in the sports world that climate change is everyone’s responsibility.
Having said that, we’ll break down everything in detail.
What is the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework?
The UN Sports for Climate Action Framework is a global initiative created by the United Nations to bring sports organizations together to combat climate change.
The framework has two big aims. First, it helps sports groups cut down their own carbon footprint. Second, it uses the huge power of sports. This teaches and inspires people worldwide about climate action.
This framework connects directly with the Paris Agreementwhich is a global plan to keep the planet from getting too hot. It aims to limit the global temperature rise. Organizations that join this initiative must reduce their emissions by 45% by 2030, with a long-term goal of achieving net-zero by 2040.
The framework has five key principles that are easy to understand:
- Be Responsible: Work to be more environmentally friendly
- Cut Impact: Reduce their overall climate pollution
- Educate: Teach everyone about climate action
- Consume Wisely: Promote smart, sustainable choices
- Speak Up: Use their voice to champion climate action
Arsenal’s Green Journey So Far
Arsenal isn’t new to this game. It has been working on being green for a long time. Setting a precedent, it was the Premier League’s first club to convert entirely to green electricity. That was back in 2016.
It even became the first UK football club to use large-scale battery energy storage in 2018. This system can power the entire 60,000-seat stadium for a match.
Its training ground is super smart too. It has a water recycling system that reuses water from the pitch. In just a year, it recycled over 4.5 million liters of water. You will also find fewer plastic bottles at its training ground. It is now 95% single-use plastic bottle-free, as the Stadium has reusable cups.
That isn’t all. The Emirates Stadium’s playing surface features hybrid turf. That is, natural grass is intertwined with artificial fibers. It offers excellent durability while remaining environmentally responsible.
Unlike artificial turf, hybrid turf does not contain PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS polymers deplete ozone and have an impact on climate change.
Why does that matter? These chemicals have been linked to serious health risks, including kidney and testicular cancer and liver damage. These concerns are at the heart of the ongoing AFFF lawsuit, which targets firefighting foam containing PFAS.
According to TorHoerman Law, manufacturers like 3M and Chemours are being sued, with lawsuits alleging they failed to inform users about the health risks associated with these chemicals. Some of the health risks include cancer and liver damage.
No lawsuit has been settled yet. But lawyers estimate that AFFF lawsuit settlement amounts could reach billions of dollars.
Players Are Aboard Too
It’s not just the club making changes. Arsenal players, both current and former, are also getting involved.
Take Héctor Bellerín, for example. He’s a true trailblazer. He committed to planting 3,000 trees for each Arsenal victory. This action by a high-profile player adds significant credibility. It leverages individual influence for the collective good.
Héctor also invested in Forest Green Rovers. It is known as the world’s most eco-friendly football team. This personal commitment goes beyond mere endorsement. It signals to other athletes and clubs that environmental action is a serious responsibility.
Young players are getting involved too. Alexei Rojas, a 15-year-old goalkeeper, has pushed for green practices at the Arsenal academy. He has led efforts to remove single-use plastics at the club’s youth academy. He also pushed for compostable packaging and better recycling.
Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini is another powerful voice. He has been urging the entire sports world to lead on climate action. His passion for the environment started as a child, picking up plastic with his dad. He even co-founded a company that creates sustainable alternatives to oil-based products.
A Win Beyond the Scoreboard
Arsenal’s decision to join the UN Climate Action Plan is a proud moment, not just for the club, but also for fans who care about the planet.
It’s a powerful reminder that while football is a game of passion, skill, and community, it’s also a platform that can help drive global change. Thanks to the Gunners, the beautiful game is environmentally friendly, too.
