Cleaner Air, Better Game campaign activations underway at UEFA Under-21 Championship

As the action gets underway this week at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Georgia and Romania, there will also be activities off the pitch over the next two weeks as a part of UEFA’s ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) event sustainability strategy.

Through Cleaner Air, Better Game, a campaign which began at the last edition of the UEFA Under-21 tournament, UEFA and participating national associations aim to raise awareness of the detrimental effects of air pollution on public health, which the World Health Organization estimates claims over seven million lives annually.

In support of the campaign, three activations will take place throughout the tournament encouraging teams, fans, officials, volunteers and staff to play their part for a cleaner and healthier future.

SORT YOUR WASTE

UEFA has provided all eight stadiums and training centres with “recycle containers” for teams, officials, fans, volunteers and staff to be part of the waste management initiative by disposing their waste into designated recycling containers. Responsible waste management not only contributes to the improvement of air quality but also plays a pivotal role in mitigating climate change by curbing greenhouse gas emissions through reduced energy consumption.

Sorting waste can reduce the associated emissions from 45kg to as low as 3kg of CO2.

Reduce, Reuse, RecycleUEFA

CHOOSE SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT

By scooter, by walk or by bike: how do you get to the stadium this summer?UEFA

Spectator, staff volunteers and teams can make a difference through sustainable transport choices.

UEFA and host associations have developed activities to encourage everyone to use green mobility through a social media challenge. Fans attending games can post pictures on social media with the #CleanerAirBetterGame campaign hashtag of themselves and friends arriving at the stadium via sustainable transport including bicycle or public transportation.

KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN

Romanian U-21 player leads by example and recycles his waste.Romanian Football Federation

UEFA will lead community clean up action days and promote environmental sustainability with the host National Associations of Georgia and Romania for fans and local communities in the five host cities.

More information about the Cleaner Air, Better Campaign can be found here.

Throughout the championship, UEFA alongside the Georgian and Romanian associations will prioritise ESG principles in their event operations in line with a strategic approach defined for the tournament.

For more details and insights on our work in the field of sustainability, access the latest UEFA RESPECT Report.

The UEFA European Under-21 Championship takes place between 21 June – 9 July in Georgia and Romania.