We Play Green: Mobilising The Global Football Family

Football is more than just a sport; it is a global phenomenon that transcends borders, cultures, and languages. Every weekend, millions of people gather in stadiums or huddle around screens to watch their favourite teams play, making football a powerful unifying force.

Recognising this opportunity, the We Play Green initiative has emerged as a pioneering effort to mobilise the global football family in the fight against climate change. 

We Play Green was born out of the urgent need to address one of the most pressing issues of our time – the climate emergency. With the world experiencing increasingly severe weather events, rising sea levels and a growing number of climate refugees, the need for action has never been more critical. Understanding that football has the power to reach billions, We Play Green seeks to harness this influence to drive meaningful environmental change. 

Founded by Norway and Genoa midfielder Morten Thorsby, and backed by a coalition of football clubs, players, and environmental organisations, We Play Green aims to create a broad and inclusive movement. Thorsby has since been awarded the Player Activism award by FIFPRO in 2021 for his efforts.   

Strategies for Sustainability 

The core strategy revolves around three key pillars: education, engagement, and action. 

Education: The initiative focuses on educating the football community (players, fans, clubs and governing bodies) about the environmental challenges the world faces. This includes creating educational content that highlights the impact of climate change on communities across the world and the role that individuals and organisations can play in mitigating these effects. By integrating environmental education into the fabric of football, We Play Green aims to foster a culture of sustainability within the sport. 

Engagement: understanding that real change can only occur when people are actively involved, the initiative encourages clubs and players to engage with their communities through environmentally-focused events and campaigns. This could involve tree-planting initiatives, beach clean-ups or campaigns to reduce plastic use at stadiums. By making sustainability a visible and integral part of the football experience, We Play Green hopes to inspire fans to adopt greener habits in their own lives. 

Action: Beyond education and engagement, We Play Green is committed to driving tangible action. This includes advocating for sustainable practices within the football industry itself, such as reducing the carbon footprint of stadiums, promoting the use of renewable energy and encouraging sustainable travel for teams and fans. Additionally, the initiative seeks to influence broader environmental policy by leveraging the collective voice of the football community to advocate for stronger climate action at local, national, and international levels. 

Objectives and Impact 

We Play Green has set ambitious objectives for its mission. One of its primary goals is to reduce the carbon footprint of football by 50% by 2030. This involves working closely with clubs, leagues and governing bodies to implement greener practices across all aspects of the sport, from stadium operations to team travel. 

Another key objective is to mobilise football fans worldwide to combat climate change. By creating a global network of environmentally-conscious supporters, We Play Green aims to build a grassroots movement that can drive change from the bottom up. Whether it’s through participating in local environmental projects or advocating for sustainable policies, fans are encouraged to be active participants in the fight against climate change. 

The impact of We Play Green is already being felt across the football world. Several high-profile clubs and players have joined the movement, lending their support and influence to the cause. From sustainable matchday practices to environmental awareness campaigns, football is beginning to embrace its potential as a force for good in the fight against climate change. 

Changing the Score 

We Play Green represents a bold and innovative approach to addressing the climate crisis. By uniting the global football family, the initiative seeks to create a powerful platform for environmental advocacy and action. Football has always been about passion, community, and shared experiences; values that align perfectly with the fight for a sustainable future. 

Whilst this initiative has a specific focus on football, Sport Impact Summit understands the key role football and sport at large have to play in inspiring people to buy into, and get involved with, sustainability initiatives. 

As the We Play Green movement continues to grow, it offers a vision of a world where football is not just a game but a catalyst for positive change. Through education, engagement and action, We Play Green is mobilising the football community to take on one of the greatest challenges of our time. In doing so, it is not only helping to protect the planet, but also ensuring that the beautiful game can continue to be enjoyed by future generations. 

In the end, We Play Green is more than just a slogan: it’s a call to action for everyone who loves football to come together and play for the planet. 

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