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95 per cent of players said the soccer industry needs to be actively working at reducing its carbon footprint, according to a report from Tottenham Hotspur Women defender Amy James-Turner and Planet League.
James-Turner surveyed 113 women’s soccer players from 36 clubs,. Ten in-depth interviews were also done to provide anecdotes sharing players’ experiences and thoughts on climate change.
The topic of fossil fuel sponsorship in soccer divided those surveyed, with 53 per cent willing to accept deals, 15 per cent wanting deals to be ended immediately, and 32 per cent saying they would phase it out over five years.
When asked about the effectiveness of current green initiatives, 32 per cent felt uninspired, while 37 per cent didn’t have an opinion. One player said they were disappointed in how many teams took up the Green Football Weekend initiative.
Reducing plastic waste came up as the most popular issue among players, as did travel. The survey also found that players want more support from clubs and leagues to take action, as well as support from other stakeholders such as sponsors, broadcasters and their male counterparts.
‘There are so many amazing role models in women’s football, players who have done so much for the game and who will always continue to demand more,’ James-Turner wrote in the report. ‘I really believe that women’s football can be the leaders of change in taking climate action.’
“More and more players want to talk about how they respond as individuals, but also how they can use their position to drive change in their clubs and communities,” added Maheta Molango, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association (PFA).
“Big issues like this can feel overwhelming, and they need people to stand up and take a lead. Amy’s report is a fantastic example of that and is something that will help more players engage with this conversation, within and beyond the game.”
James-Turner’s report comes after Sport Positive Leagues compiled its own report finding that Premier League clubs have ‘markedly improved’ on their environmental sustainability commitment.
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