Government Policy must not fail to Educate and Raise Awareness of Climate Change

A sustainable future? Government’s policy on a new football regulator takes shape but must not fail to educate and raise awareness of climate change.

The UK Government released details on the response to its consultation on a proposed new independent regulator of football last week, which focused on financial sustainability of football clubs but with no mention of environmental sustainability.

This is despite the new strategy for sport by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the Government department responsible for the governance of sport in the UK, setting out the aim to work “towards a more environmentally sustainable sector that delivers on the government’s net-zero ambitions”. 

This consultation reflects the Government’s engagement with stakeholders across the sport following the independent Fan-Led Review in 2019, which led to the publication of a white paper in February 2023 that built on the review’s recommendations and set out a comprehensive plan to introduce an independent regulator.

Climate change stands as the defining issue of our generation - and football will not be exempt from this. By 2050, one quarter of professional men’s football clubs in England could be flooded by rising sea levels. The repercussions for women's football, the non-league sector, and grassroots enthusiasts are destined to be even more pronounced.

Since the start of this process, Football For Future has been arguing that the Government should include environmental sustainability within the remit of any new regulator. The new regulator could have wide-ranging impacts if it were able to use this opportunity to use football to educate and raise awareness of climate change within the game and beyond.

However, this latest document references ‘sustainability’ only in respect to finances. While the Government recognises the role that environmental sustainability has to play in the future of sport, with the new DCMS strategy including a whole section on environmental sustainability, this is not currently reflected in its plans for an independent football regulator.

We can no longer ignore the fact that the planet is in Fergie time after a summer that was the hottest ever recorded. Despite this, football continues to have a significant impact on the environment, whether that is through clubs flying to domestic away games or its huge international tournaments taking next to no action to mitigate environmental footprints. 

And this is not controversial amongst football fans - a survey of 1,400 football fans from last year revealed over 90% agreed on the importance of protecting the environment and fighting climate change.

A new independent football regulator presents a once-in-a-generation chance to fundamentally change the UK game for good. No definition of ‘sustainable’ in 2023 should ignore the environment - there will likely be no financial sustainability without environmental sustainability.

It’s not too late, but we are deep into added time, and this might be the last big set piece opportunity. Let’s build on the great work of the fan-led review and introduce an independent regulator that safeguards not just the bank accounts of football, but the environment in which it resides and which it depends upon.