Green Goals: How European Football Clubs Scored for the Planet

The team's reporting across France, Germany and Spain reveals how a system driven by performance and profit struggles to integrate sustainability into its core operations.

Through interviews, data and case studies, the investigation brings the issue to life by combining expert insights with the voices of fans and activists calling for change. One such individual is Théo Fleurance, a young Olympique Lyonnais supporter who became an activist with Football Écologie France after realising the environmental cost of the sport. His story reflects a growing civic awareness across Europe, where supporters, NGOs and some clubs are campaigning for a more environmentally friendly approach to football.

Drawing on research from organisations such as The Shift Project and the New Weather Institute, the project quantifies the problem and compares national approaches. From Real Betis's carbon reduction strategy in Spain to SC Freiburg's sustainable stadium in Germany, it highlights concrete actions while exposing their limitations. Despite some progress, the investigation reveals that most clubs and leagues still prioritise sporting and economic performance over environmental responsibility.

By documenting both the challenges and the emerging solutions, this investigation sets the stage for a wider series exploring how European football can reconcile its passion for the game with the urgent need to protect the planet.

On the right: Collage by Marine Mugnier/p>