Football and sustainability: moving from awareness to action

Speaking on a plenary session entitled 'Football as a social and environmental force', UEFA football and social responsibility director Michele Uva talked through the European governing body's sustainability strategy, 'Strength through Unity'. It aims to inspire, activate and accelerate collective action on respecting human rights and the environment within the context of European football through to 2030.

Uva emphasised the organisation's ambition to be catalysts and accelerators of change across the football ecosystem and civil society.

He said: "UEFA has set out its long-term commitment to drive collaborative and measurable actions, guided by the belief that sustainability is at the core of the success of European football. We are keen to tap into football people's dedication to inspiring and mobilising the wider society. How? By working in synergy with those that believe, just as we do, that sustainability is at the core of the success in civil society as in football."

He added: "Our approach is guided by a mindset of anticipation, in which we depict a sustainable future and set tangible actions to contribute to it, step by step. On that journey, we think that sustainability is not a cost but an investment."

Uva also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between UEFA and the Portuguese Football Federation to develop a new sustainability strategy aligned with UEFA's framework and contributing to the federation's strategic plan Futebol 2030.

The session was held at the Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras as part of the Football Talks, featuring a wide variety of speakers from the European football industry.