Sustainability in the Bundesliga: DFL relies on slow progress

Sustainability in the Bundesliga: DFL relies on slow progress

In recent years, the German Football League (DFL) has taken decisive steps towards sustainability, but the path is still long. As part of their license allocation, the clubs have had to meet sustainability criteria for two years. This regulation concerns the 36 associations of the first and second Bundesliga, which are not allowed to take part in the game without valid license. A central component of these criteria is to promote awareness of economic, social and ecological sustainability.

Marika Bernhard, the head of the DFL sustainability department, was optimistic about the progress in an interview with Deutschlandfunk: "I am very satisfied," she remarked, adding that all Bundesliga clubs now have their own sustainability strategy and responsible persons for these tasks. This shows that the topic is not only on paper, but is actively addressed.

mandatory criteria and their implementation

The DFL has defined a total of 54 sustainability criteria. But only nine of them are binding for the clubs. These minimal requirements were necessary so as not to overwhelm the clubs, as Bernhard explains: "It is more important to me that all clubs are taken away." The mandatory criteria include the integration of sustainability into the statutes and a public commitment to discrimination. These requirements are relatively easy to implement and form the basis for further developments.

However, there is a certain standstill when it comes to the defined goals to reduce CO2 emissions. Of the 36 clubs, only six concrete and measurable goals can name your CO2 emissions, as shown by several inquiries from Deutschlandfunk. A positive example is Werder Bremen, who has planned to halve his CO2 emissions by 2030.

The role of the DFL and the clubs

Hamburger SV has to deal with critical questions as part of its sponsorship partnerships. Despite the grown consciousness for sustainability, many clubs have financial backings from companies whose business is not necessarily in harmony with ecological goals, such as an oil company. This presents the clubs with the challenge of finding a balance between economic demands and ecological responsibility. Bernhard notes: "Football is forced to find the right balance." The dialogue with the clubs is still necessary to actively tackle these growing tensions.

Traffic, especially the journey of the fans, is another critical point that the DFL wants to address. "It is our goal to contribute to the turn of the mobility in Germany," says Bernhard, and emphasizes that a complete reduction in emissions due to fan trips is unrealistic. Instead, all available measures must be implemented for containment.

Although the DFL reports progress and success in the development of sustainability strategies, communication remains to be limited to the outside world. Anne-Kathrin Laufmann from Werder Bremen said: "These are not topics with which you attract many people behind the oven." Thus, the development is often not perceived by the general public, but this does not change the fulminance of the Bundesliga culture.

The way into the future: more transparency and commitment

In the coming years, the DFL plans to make further criteria mandatory and thus increase the pressure on the clubs. Communication of progress and results could also be improved by reporting more transparently about their progress. Each association currently publishes independent reports. In the future, an aggregated form of reporting could bundle a lot of necessary information and pass it on to the public.

It is clear that the DFL faces major challenges, but it is determined to continue her way in the sustainability strategy. It remains to be seen how the strategies will develop in the course of the coming seasons and what positive consequences they will have for the Bundesliga as a whole.

Current trends in the area of sustainable sports

The discussion about sustainability in sports is not limited to the Bundesliga. Global and local sporting events are increasingly responding to social expectations and political initiatives to promote environmentally friendly practices. According to a study by Sport and recreation Australia , 78 % of the sports organizations have integrated sustainable practices into their company strategies or are planning it. These trends are also shown in the introduction of new standards in sports management.

An example of this is the organization of the Olympic Games, which increasingly implemented sustainable guidelines. At the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, which took place due to the 2021 pandemic, numerous environmentally friendly measures were implemented, such as the use of recycled plastic for medals and the use of renewable energies. These initiatives show how important it is to look at sustainability in the great framework of sport.

The role of fans in the sustainability debate

The relationships between fans and clubs play a crucial role in the implementation of sustainable practices. More and more fans are demanding from their clubs to take environmentally friendly measures. Surveys show that about 65 % of fans in Germany consider it important that their club supports sustainable development. These expectations force the clubs to take initiatives in order to maintain their reputation and to strengthen the connection to their supporting communities.

An example of fans' commitment is the "Green Football Weekend" initiative in England, which motivates fans to make environmentally friendly decisions, be it when traveling to the stadium or the preference of sustainable products in the fan shop. Such actions could also be repeated in the Bundesliga based on the model to promote awareness and active participation of the fans.

challenges in climate protection in football

Despite the progress, the clubs face considerable challenges. A study by the German football federal shows that the transport of fans to the games is one of the biggest contributors to CO2 emissions. The mobility of the audience and the associated emissions are a complex challenge because many fans are dependent on their own cars.

In order to address these problems, many clubs think about innovative solutions, such as promoting public transport on match days and providing incentives for fans that use environmentally friendly means of transport. Such measures could not only reduce emissions, but also actively involve the fan community in the sustainability process.