On Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 19, Club Brugge Foundation hosted the Football for Climate Justice conference, which took place at the Jan Breydel Stadium and brought together 40 representatives of Belgian professional clubs. The theme of the meeting was sustainability, climate transition and the social responsibility of soccer in this evolution.
Football for Climate Justice
During the conference the results of the more than 3,5 years long European project Football for Climate Justice, of which Club Brugge Foundation was a part, were extensively discussed. The research work was carried by an international consortium consisting of TASC (Ireland), Bohemian FC (Ireland), FC Twente (Netherlands), FC St. Pauli (Germany), Werder Bremen (Germany), Ferencváros (Hungary), Real Betis (Spain) and the LaLiga Foundation (Spain). This broad and diverse composition allowed the project to approach the climate challenges within soccer from a variety of cultural, sporting and societal perspectives.
The European Commission co-funded project explored how soccer clubs can reduce their own carbon footprint as well as how they can engage supporters, local communities and partners in a just climate and energy transition. Themes such as energy management, mobility, waste reduction, social inclusion and climate justice were central to the project.
The findings highlight that soccer clubs, thanks to their enormous social reach and connecting power, can play a unique role in making sustainable choices accessible and achievable for supporters. More information can be found via the official project website: www.footballforclimatejustice.com.
The role of supporters and community
The conference highlighted that soccer's impact goes beyond the sporting. Through their close relationship with supporters and their firm roots in the local community, clubs can stimulate sustainable behavioral change, support vulnerable groups during the energy transition and evolve structurally towards a more sustainable organization.
Club Brugge ESG strategy
Peter Gheysen, Public Affairs & Sustainability Director, explained Club Brugge's ESG strategy. He outlined how sustainability is embedded within the Club operation and also explained the strategic initiatives Club Brugge undertakes to further strengthen its social and environmental impact.
Panel discussion: insights from soccer and the energy sector
The panel discussion brought together three experienced voices: Thomas Van Broeck (Elindus), Sammy Verbeke (MR Solar) and Sean McCabe (Bohemian FC). They brought their knowledge and expertise around energy transition within soccer organizations and inspired the attendees with concrete examples, innovative ideas and practical advice. Their insights made clear how cooperation between sport, technology and policy makes sustainable progress possible.
Ambitions within Belgian professional football
The Pro League, together with its partners More2Win and BloomUp, gave an insight into the ambitions to make Belgian professional soccer more sustainable. The focus is on collective action, shared methodologies and practical support to strengthen ecological sustainability in the sports sector.
A meaningful contribution to a more sustainable future
By organizing this conference, Club Brugge Foundation wants to do its part to contribute to a more sustainable future for Belgian soccer. By pooling international knowledge, stimulating dialogue and bringing the sector closer together around sustainability goals, the Foundation contributes to a soccer world that deploys its social strength for a climate-conscious and future-oriented sports sector.
