This year’s UEFA Men’s Under-19 European Championship will enable European football’s governing body to test new solutions to increase the levels of sustainability achieved in its events.
The Irish Football Association, which is hosting the U19 Euro 2024 tournament this month on behalf of UEFA, will adopt UEFA event sustainability best practices along with the host stadia and football stakeholders in Northern Ireland.
In accordance with its strategic framework, UEFA is organising the tournament in line with ESG best practices. ESG, in the context of UEFA events, refers in particular to:
Environmental – UEFA will do its part with regards to climate action, applying circular economy principles (reduce, reuse, recycle and recover) and efficiently using infrastructure;
Social – European football’s governing body will respect human rights and defend the right to participate without discrimination and in a healthy and safe environment;
Governance – UEFA will reflect principles of good governance and bring economic benefits to the host country.
Keith Gibson, Irish FA Sustainability Lead, said: “Our corporate strategy sets out our desire to be a leader in the area of sustainability and to help clubs within Northern Ireland on their climate action journey.
“With UEFA’s support this tournament will ensure sustainability is at the centre of what we do and will leave a legacy in host stadiums to help develop sustainable transport and aid with recycling.”
The Irish FA will work in partnership with UEFA in the following areas:
Smart mobility - the Local Organising Committee (LOC) will be using electric transport throughout the tournament, which runs from 15 to 28 July in Belfast and Larne;
Carbon management - the carbon footprint of the tournament will be calculated using UEFA’s recently launched carbon footprint calculator;
Accessibility – the three host stadiums (The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park and Seaview Stadium in Belfast, and Inver Park in Larne) will have designated areas for wheelchair users and volunteers will be trained to assist those with extra needs to ensure the games are accessible to all;
Locally-sourced food - the hotels and venues being used have made a commitment to using food sourced in Northern Ireland throughout the event.
In addition there will be tobacco-free and alcohol-free policies at all three stadiums.
And after the tournament is over event materials will be donated to local groups or recycled.
UEFA will use the tournament to highlight its ‘Outrage’ campaign, which highlights the scars that online abuse can leave. All eight of the participating teams will have an educational session on good practices with social media.
As a lasting legacy of the tournament new recycling bins and bicycle parking will be installed at the three host stadiums.
