TABLE OF CONTENTSACTIVATIONMESSAGE FROM THE UEFA PRESIDENT

P.4

FOREWORD FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

P.6

INSPIRATIONSTRATEGICPROCESS:THE ROAD TO 2030

COLLABORATIONIS KEY:STAKEHOLDERS

IMPACT AT ALL
LEVELS:
AREAS OF ACTION

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P.22

P.24

ACCELERATIONSTRENGTH
THROUGH
UNITY:CONTEXTCORE
CONVICTIONS:FUNDAMENTALSINSPIRE,
ACTIVATE,
ACCELERATE:MISSIONTHE JOURNEYTOWARDSSUSTAINABILITY:
GUIDING
PRINCIPLESCOLLECTIVE
ACTIONOVERVIEW:
AREAS ANDPOLICIESRESPECTHUMAN RIGHTS:
POLICIESRESPECT THE
ENVIRONMENT:POLICIESFROM STRATEGYTO ACTION:
THE WAYFORWARD TO
2030

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TARGETS AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

P.48

MESSAGE FROM THE UEFA PRESIDENTUNLOCKING FOOTBALL’SUNIQUE POWER
Dear friends,
Challenges in the field of human rights
and the environment are gaining
importance in society and football.
Awareness of these issues is growing
within member associations, fan groups,
clubs, and leagues. As UEFA andEuropean football form an intrinsic partof society, they are being called upon
to contribute to the solution. And wecan, because football has the uniqueability to activate an enormous reach
within one of the largest communities
in Europe. This strategy is titled
Strength through Unity to signifythat these complex issues can only

4

UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

be addressed and solved if we work inclose collaboration with all our footballstakeholders, agree on a shared agenda,
use a common language, and adopt a
consistent approach.
I am convinced that if football comes
together and bundles its power to drive
sustainable change, it will be able tohave a strong and long-lasting positive
impact. As UEFA, we need to set theright example towards sustainablechange and inspire and mobilise others
to follow.
It is the first time that our organisation
has presented such a comprehensive
and ambitious sustainability strategy.

It includes commitments based on
robust policies with measurable targets
and KPI’s and builds on the foundationof solidarity that has characterised
our European football community
for so many years. To show that wemean business, we have set a scopeof ten years as human rights andenvironmental issues require along-term commitment.
I am deeply supportive of theseambitions and am liaising closely with
European and global partners to define
partnerships and initiate regulatory
frameworks to provide our strategy
and its implementation with additional
strength.
We need to take our responsibility within
the context of European football to help
solve urgent issues that threaten oursociety and our sport. This can only be
successful if we lead the way and invite
our stakeholders to closely collaborate
with us. Only in unity, we can achieve thestrength to unlock the unique power offootball and inspire millions of others todrive positive sustainable change.

Aleksander ČeferinUEFA President

5

Activation is the focal point of ourstrategic process. A simple strategic
model built for UEFA but aimed at
helping national associations, leagues,
and clubs. UEFA cannot and must not
act alone. Collaboration will be a key
ingredient to deliver direct positive
impact, as well as to prevent andmitigate risks that weigh on the football
ecosystem.

FOREWORD: DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL AND
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYACCELERATOR OF CHANGE
Researching and developing football’s
sustainability strategy, arguably themost discussed topic at all levels in ourworld, is an extraordinary task.
We combined ambition and realism,
outlining a 10-year journey and keeping
in mind what UEFA can realistically dothrough its strong platform.
Our aim is to provide European footballwith a common base and language,
clearly defined targets and KPIs. We
started from our inspiration, our North
Star. We analysed the context linking
football to sustainability, aligned with6

We recognised that sustainability
requires a right balance between socially
responsible and environmentally friendly
actions and practices to preserve thelong-term viability of football.

We will accelerate our journey with
11 policies, aligned with the pillars ofhuman rights and environment, together
with the five areas of action. Each policy
is described in detail and every one ofthem has a clear 2030 ambition andplan linking topics to targets to KPIs withthe understanding that these will evolve
to keep up with the fast-moving world ofsustainability.

Next, we agreed the core fundamentals
underpinning our future that will always
direct our journey and lead to our
mission: Inspire, activate and acceleratecollective action to respect humanrights and the environment within thecontext of European football.

ESG criteria are included in our strategy,
conscious of the critical role these willplay in the development of activities
within football team organisations. This
document is not a final destination but
the jumping point to operationalise thestrategy, a difficult yet fascinating taskUEFA’s principles and with the demandsof global institutions and civil society.

ahead. We will create guidelines andsupport programmes to help member
associations, leagues and clubs develop
their own strategies.
We will create a community ofmanagers experts in sustainability
to rally their teams and share bestpractice. Measuring and reporting will
be decisive to demonstrate how footballis using its powerful platform to improvesustainability.
Now is the time to accelerate. Strength
through unity is the real heart of thisstrategy, designed for everyone, andowned by everyone.

Michele Uva

Director of Football andSocial Responsibility

ANTI-RACISM

CHILD & YOUTHPROTECTION

EQUALITY &INCLUSIONFOOTBALL FOR
ALL ABILITIESHEALTH &WELL-BEINGREFUGEE
SUPPORT

SOLIDARITY &RIGHTSCIRCULARECONOMY

CLIMATE &ADVOCACYEVENTSUSTAINABILITYINFRASTRUCTURE
SUSTAINABILITY

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

7

INSPIRATIONSTRENGTH
THROUGH
UNITY:CONTEXTCORE
CONVICTIONS:FUNDAMENTALSINSPIRE,
ACTIVATE,
ACCELERATE:MISSIONTHE JOURNEYTOWARDSSUSTAINABILITY:
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES

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1

CONTEXTSTRENGTH
THROUGH UNITY

IT’S ABOUT FOOTBALL ANDSUSTAINABILITY
Our societies are facing social andenvironmental challenges. As an intrinsic
part of these communities, UEFA feels
the obligation to address these concerns
in close cooperation with its European
football stakeholders. This includes
socially responsible and environmentallyfriendly practices which will be
addressed in this strategy under theterm sustainability, in close alignment
with international standards.
Acknowledging the relevance ofsustainability can benefit footballwhile inspiring and mobilising the wider
society. This will require a shared visionand set of objectives to mobilise theexpansive football fan community andcreate strong impacts.

FOOTBALL NEEDS TO ACCELERATEIn a context of increased stakeholder
expectations, UEFA and European
football should not only embrace thiscall to action but also accelerate its
response. The mobilising power of the
sport will help in making a positive andcredible contribution to a sustainable
future for the next generationsof football players and fans, atinternational, national and local levels.
TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE OF
FOOTBALLThe sustainability agenda is embedded
into the responsibility chapter of UEFA’s
strategy Together for the Future ofFootball. This reflects the organisation’s
desire to ensure that football is trusted,engaging and responsible vis-à-vis all
stakeholders.

DRIVING CHANGE TOGETHER
The rising awareness of environmental
and societal priorities needs to turn into
concrete action, with a particular focus
on achieving tangible results.
The scale of our challenges calls for
coordinated, joint action by multiple
players and constant adaptation. No
one acting in isolation can hope to findthe necessary answers and ensure
their implementation. It’s going to taketeamwork!
10 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

TOGETHER FOR
THE FUTURE OF FOOTBALLUEFA STRATEGY 2019-2024

11

2

FUNDAMENTALSCORE
CONVICTIONSUEFA’S APPROACH IS GROUNDED IN A SET OF UNCHANGING, FUNDAMENTALCONVICTIONS THAT GUIDE THE FOOTBALL AND SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY ANDITS IMPLEMENTATION.
WE FOCUS ON FOOTBALL AND ITSIMPACT ON SOCIETY
We prioritise issues that are relevant for
European football, working with partners
and institutions based on mutual
convictions and trust, using our voices
to raise awareness about the issues thatmatter.

WE BELIEVE SUSTAINABILITYSUPPORTS THE SUCCESS OF
EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
We underscore the importance ofmanaging sustainability in UEFA’s core
activities as an investment in football’s
future prosperity. As part of this, we
actively pursue opportunities with hostcities, partners and other stakeholders
to source, experiment and roll out
product and service innovations.

12 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

WE ACT IN LINE WITH TRANSPARENT,
LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES
We commit to a long-term plan up to2030, communicating on progressyear-by-year. This lays the ground for atrust-based dialogue and collaboration
with all stakeholders.
WE WORK AS ONE TEAM, WITH ONE
COMMON LANGUAGE AND APPROACH
We work in synergy with all partners toamplify football’s positive impact andmake the most of our collective efforts
WE ADVOCATE RESPECT FOR HUMAN
RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
We portray our actions with a blue
respect logo for human rights and agreen respect logo for the environment.

13

3

MISSION

INSPIRE, ACTIVATE,ACCELERATEUEFA has a longstanding commitment to manage all its activities and events basedon the core value of respect and the principles of sustainability, leading by example
and ensuring a positive legacy for the future.
We want to:

INSPIRE, ACTIVATE AND ACCELERATECOLLECTIVE ACTION TO RESPECT HUMAN
RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT WITHINTHE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN FOOTBALL.
To succeed in this mission and fulfil this commitment, the following objectives havebeen defined in connection with the UEFA strategy Together for the Future of Football:

14 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

ROLE MODEL
To be recognised as a guide for others,
through responsible actions in supportof sustainable development.

SAFEGUARDING
To guarantee the safety of all,building on the principles of humanrights.

RESPECTTo ensure respect is maintained as our
guiding value, encouraging inclusive
practices and activities.

PROTECTING
To conserve the game for future
generations by fostering economically
viable and sustainable operations.

15

4

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

THE JOURNEY TOWARDSSUSTAINABILITY

EVERYTHING UEFA DOES IS BASED ON THE VALUE OF RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTSAND THE ENVIRONMENT, THE TWO PILLARS OF OUR APPROACH. THIS ACTIONABLE
UEFA STRATEGY IS MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL FOOTBALL STAKEHOLDERS TOSUPPORT THEM IN FORMULATING THEIR OWN SUSTAINABILITY APPROACH.
APPROACH
The strategy is formulated around
11 policies, each supported by a2030 ambition, targets and key
performance indicators (KPIs), and will
be implemented in five areas of action.
The issues covered by the policies areinterconnected.
AGILITY
UEFA’s approach is likely to evolve
through periodical reviews andassessments of progress. This may leadto consolidating some of the policies.
An integrated and flexible method isessential to tackle human rights andenvironmental considerations andbalance all aspects of sustainability. A
review of the strategy’s effectivenessand architecture is envisaged for 2025.
ESG
Environmental, social and governance(ESG) standards and mechanisms will
be applied to link the sustainability,
operational and financing strategies ofEuropean football, and accelerate thesustainability ambitions of the footballindustry.

16 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

RISK MANAGEMENT
UEFA’s enterprise risk management
system identifies sustainability risks andformulates mitigation actions covering
financial, operational, reputational andstrategic dimensions.
CONFORMITY
The strategy aligns with UEFA’s statutes,
strategy, regulations and guidelines.
It also concurs with internationallyrecognised frameworks and standards,
including, among others, the UN
Sustainable Development Goals, the UN
Sports for Climate Action Framework,
the European Green Deal, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the UN
Guiding Principles on Business andHuman Rights, the UN Global Compact
Principles and the Global Reporting
Initiative.
The strategy and its implementation
are overseen by the UEFA Executive
Committee and the UEFA Fair Play andSocial Responsibility Committee.

17

ACTIVATIONSTRATEGICPROCESS:THE ROAD TO
2030

COLLABORATIONIS KEY:STAKEHOLDERS

IMPACT AT ALL
LEVELS:
AREAS OFACTION

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5

THE ROAD TO 2030

STRATEGIC PROCESSONE LANGUAGE AND ONE PROCESS TO ALIGN EFFORTS
The process provides a template for other footballorganisations to develop their own strategies or alignexisting commitments with the UEFA framework.
As part of its own action plan, UEFA will develop guidelines
to help member associations, other football organisations
and clubs to develop, implement and communicate theirown sustainability approach.

UEFA has undertaken a transparent, structured process todevelop the strategy and gather the required commitment for
its effective deployment.
THE 6 STEPS IN DEFINING THE ROADMAP ARE:
APPROVALANALYSIS OFCONTEXT
Connecting
the strategy tointernationalframeworks andwider efforts totackle global
sustainability
challenges, focusing
on relevant issues
for football. Taking
stock of the current
situation andexisting initiatives.

IDENTIFICATIONOF GUIDING
PRINCIPLES,FUNDAMENTALSAND MISSION
Defining thestrategy’s
purpose basedon core values,
convictions, andambitions aroundsustainability.

ARTICULATION
OF POLICIES AND
AREAS OF ACTION
Identifying anddescribing the policies
that will drive respectfor human rights andthe environment,in addition to
designating the areasof collaborative
action. Stakeholder
consultation, including
through specialist
input, is required toincrease acceptanceand credibility of thepolicies.

UEFA STRATEGY PROCESSStrategy development
20 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

Strategy execution

DEFINITION
OF TOPICS,TARGETS AND
KPIs
Outlining theambitions for eachpolicy, backed by
SMART targets
and indicators
for performancemeasurement.

EXECUTION VIA
AN ACTION PLAN
Defining appropriate
activities,
responsibility andbudget for eachpolicy – alongside
an assessmentof risks in viewof managing andmitigating them.

MEASUREMENT
AND REPORTING
Creating a databaseto provide insight
into performanceand progress, inaddition to laying
the ground forannual reporting.

STAKEHOLDERCONSULTATION
21

6

STAKEHOLDERSCOLLABORATION IS KEY
This strategy cannot be successful in splendid isolation –collaboration is necessary to maximise positive impacts and toprevent and mitigate risks.
OUR FOOTBALL ECOSYSTEM:UEFA aims to rally the European football
ecosystem to gather around a common
agenda and create effective synergies.
At the heart of European football, UEFA
operates in tandem with its members– the 55 member associations – while
leagues and clubs play an active role inorganising games and competitions.

volunteers. Sponsors, the media
and different institutions complete
the stakeholder field. In undertaking
collaborative efforts with its
stakeholders, UEFA can leverage theheartfelt, shared passion for football tooffer a platform of collaboration, unitedby the positive values of the sport.

Other stakeholders actively participate
in UEFA competitions at each levelof the game, from players and fansto coaches, referees, officials andThis is underpinned by the popularity offootball, which enables UEFA to amplify
the sustainable message to a global
audience.

NSORS
SPO

O
22 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

ER

NM

DIA

ME

LS

IA
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RS

IC

LA

CLUBS

P

COACHES

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S

CO

U
MM

ES

OFF

FANS

LEAGUESYEMEMBERASSOCIATIONSOUR REACH

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SUP
PL
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F

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ER

S
ON
TI
TU

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IN
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VOLU
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18.5 million

1.2 million

5.2 billion

FOOTBALL PLAYERSACROSS MEMBERASSOCIATIONSCOACHESACROSS MEMBERASSOCIATIONSEURO 2020
CUMULATIVEGLOBAL AUDIENCE

300 million

877 million

15 million

FOLLOWERS ON
UEFA SOCIAL MEDIACHANNELSREACH OF UEFA ONLINECAMPAIGN SIGN FOR AN
EQUAL GAMEAUDIENCE OF UEFA
DOCUMENTARYOUTRAGED

321

70%
OF EUROPEAN
FOOTBALL FANSTHINK UEFA HAS
A ROLE TO PLAY
IN THE AREA OFSUSTAINABILITYFOOTBALL SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
PROJECTS FINANCED BY UEFA SINCE 2016
23

7

AREAS OF ACTION

IMPACT AT ALL LEVELSThis strategy aims to create synergy between all stakeholders thatcan be translated into concrete, collaborative action based on eachorganisation’s specific context and resources, with the ultimate objectiveof forming a framework for the deployment of multiple but coordinatedaction plans, all contributing to an overall impact.
THIS INTEGRATED AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH WILL FOCUS ON
AREAS OF ACTION:

UEFA INTERNAL ORGANISATION
Aligning organisational management
and work setting with the ambition set
out in UEFA’s sustainability strategy.

WAYS TO WORK TOGETHERUEFA EVENTS
Embed human rights andenvironmental principles, standards
and practices across the lifecycle of
all football-related events.

WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER

24 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

Collaborate across all UEFA divisions
to catalyse actions and processes
across regulations, policies,
communications, workforce andcampus infrastructure.

Ensure that UEFA’s event sustainability
priorities are reflected across event
bidding requirements and resulting
plans laid out by local organising
structures.

UEFA MEMBERS
Support all 55 member associationsin their efforts to design and roll out
sustainable organisation and event
strategies based on their domestic
priorities.

WAYS TO WORK TOGETHERFOOTBALL ECOSYSTEM
Cascade sustainable action by the
clubs and leagues, together withplayers, referees, officials, coaches
and volunteers involved in the game.

WAYS TO WORK TOGETHERPARTNERS & SOCIETY
Actively involve sponsors, fans,suppliers, media, local communities,
governments and global institutions
to work together on sustainability
initiatives.

WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER

Leverage UEFA development
programmes and governance system(e.g. HatTrick) to make conditional
funding available for member
associations’ efforts towards
sustainability.

Devise joint actions targeting dedicatedhuman rights and/or environment
policies in UEFA’s Football Sustainability
Strategy.

Co-develop innovative solutions thatgenerate opportunities, visibility andvalue for all stakeholders involved.

25

ACCELERATIONCOLLECTIVE
ACTIONOVERVIEW:
AREAS ANDPOLICIESRESPECTHUMAN RIGHTS:
POLICIESRESPECT THE
ENVIRONMENT:POLICIESFROM STRATEGYTO ACTION:
THE WAYFORWARD TO
2030

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8

AREAS AND POLICIESAn integrated and collaborative approach between stakeholders
will ensure impact on all levels.

COLLECTIVE
ACTION OVERVIEW

Each area of action should bring concrete, tangible results.
Eleven policies, supported by specific topics, targets and
KPIs, cover the two pillars of respecting human rights and theenvironment.
Each of these policies will be implemented in the five different
areas of action, tailored to the specificities of these areas.

POLICIES

AREAS OF ACTION

ANTI-RACISM

1CIRCULARECONOMY828 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

CHILD & YOUTHPROTECTIONHEALTH &WELL-BEING

52

CLIMATE &ADVOCACY9EQUALITY &INCLUSIONREFUGEE
SUPPORT

6

3

FOOTBALL FOR
ALL ABILITIESSOLIDARITY &RIGHTSEVENTSUSTAINABILITY

10

7

4

UEFA INTERNALORGANISATIONUEFAEVENTSUEFAMEMBERSINFRASTRUCTURE
SUSTAINABILITY

11

FOOTBALLECOSYSTEMPARTNERS &SOCIETY
29

9

POLICIESRESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS

THE FOLLOWING 7 POLICIES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIEDFOR THE STRATEGIC PERIOD OF 2021–30 AND ARE
EXPLAINED IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES:

Football is all about people, a common passion that brings together
individuals of different ages, backgrounds, nationalities and abilities.
The divisions and discrimination that afflict our societies inevitably playout on and around the pitch, but at the same time the sport can be a
powerful vehicle for overcoming them.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOOTBALL
Dignity, respect and equal rights
and opportunities should beafforded to everyone involved infootball in a spirit of freedom andjustice.
This means that football is
a community that welcomes
everyone, with equal access, in asafe and secure environment.
Each individual should be able
to be involved in football as theirauthentic self. And the value ofsport towards healthy lifestyles,
both physically and mentally,should be emphasised.

30 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACTIn accordance with the UEFA
Human Rights Commitment
approved in 2021, we strive for
an inclusive culture in which noone is discriminated against or
excluded based on any personal
traits, whether playing, coaching,refereeing or organising the game,and including all aspects of thegame itself and any activities
connected to it. In addition,
UEFA aspires for football to bea vehicle for human rights inbroader society, engaging society
and governments on key topics
and providing information andeducation.

ANTI-RACISM

EQUALITY &INCLUSION

3

1

REFUGEE
SUPPORT

6

CHILD & YOUTHPROTECTIONFOOTBALL FOR
ALL ABILITIES

42SOLIDARITY &RIGHTSHEALTH &WELL-BEING

5

7
31

ANTI-RACISM
ANTI-RACISM

CHILD AND YOUTH PROTECTIONTOPICSTOPICS

ANTI-RACISM MEASURES ACROSS UEFAREGULATIONS, POLICIES, GUIDELINES ANDCOMMUNICATIONSNETWORK AND TRAINING OF CHILD AND YOUTHPROTECTION OFFICERS IN EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

CHILD & YOUTHPROTECTIONPREVENTIVE AND EDUCATIONAL PLANS, WITH A
PARTICULAR FOCUS ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH

1COLLABORATIVE ACTION TO IDENTIFY, INVESTIGATEAND SANCTION RACISM IN FOOTBALL
TRANSPARENT REPORTING SYSTEMS ANDACCESS TO REMEDYDESCRIPTION

MOVING FORWARD

EXISTING INITIATIVES

Prevent and fight
all forms of racial
discrimination in the
football environment,from grassroots to theelite professional level.

UEFA conducts a review tofurther improve existing systems
for reporting racism and racial
discrimination across European
football. Consequently, it ensuressystems are developed andaccessible to support victims.
Furthermore, the structures andcommunications around theinvestigation and sanctioningof discrimination cases will
be strengthened. Lastly,
discriminatory actions andmanagement procedures within
stadiums as well as UEFA online
platforms will be identified.

– Consultation and dialogue through an
independent UEFA anti-discrimination
working group.

2030 AMBITION
Eradicate racism in
all its forms on andaround the pitch
across European
football.

32 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy– Match observer scheme
implementation within club and major
national team competitions.
– Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body
ruling on all disciplinary, ethical and othermatters that fall within its competence
under UEFA’s statutes and regulations.
– Relationship building with global
institutions in view of developing joint
actions in the fight against discrimination.
– Campaigns to promote UEFA’s visionthat everyone should be able to enjoy
football.

ONLINE UEFA CHILD SAFEGUARDING PLATFORM
EVENT-SPECIFIC CHILD AND YOUTHSAFEGUARDING ARRANGEMENTS AND
PROTOCOLS, INCLUDING ACCESS TO REMEDY

2
DESCRIPTION

MOVING FORWARD

EXISTING INITIATIVES

Protect the rights ofchildren and youth
playing football,preventing andresponding to any
form of harm.

UEFA continues to support
dedicated practitioners acrossEurope in developing child andyouth protection policies.

– Guidelines for member associations onchild and youth protection.

2030 AMBITION
Provide a safeand empowering
environment for all
children and youth
to play football.

This includes event-specificsafeguarding arrangements
and protocols, reporting, casemanagement, training of coaches,
event workforce, and volunteers.

– Series of courses providing training forall stakeholders managing child-related
concerns.
– Online platform to enhance knowledge,
skills and practices to create safer
football environments.

The organisation continuously
updates the online UEFA childsafeguarding platform tofacilitate continuous learning.

33

EQUALITY AND INCLUSIONEQUALITY &INCLUSIONFOOTBALL FOR ALL ABILITIESTOPICSTOPICSEQUALITY AND INCLUSION MEASURES ACROSSUEFA REGULATIONS, POLICIES, GUIDELINES ANDCOMMUNICATIONSINCREASED ACCESS TO PLAYING OPPORTUNITIESAS WELL AS VOCATIONAL TRAINING, EMPLOYMENTAND VOLUNTEERINGFOOTBALL FOR
ALL ABILITIESUEFA ADVOCACY OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FORWOMEN IN THE FOOTBALL ECOSYSTEM

3

MEASURES AGAINST DISCRIMINATION BASED ON
GENDER, AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RELIGION, OR
ABILITIESAWARENESS CAMPAIGNS ON EQUALITY AND
INCLUSIONDESCRIPTION

MOVING FORWARD

EXISTING INITIATIVES

Apply principles of equal
rights and opportunities
to all levels of European
football to ensure thateveryone feels respected
and empowered toexpress themselves,
enjoy and contribute to
the game.

UEFA continues to explore ways
to encourage diversity andprovide equal opportunities
to each member of thefootball community. It sets
governance standards for its
own organisation and events
regarding equal rights andopportunities.

– Engaging with leading organisations
and stakeholders to map the current
situation, needs and gaps in the European
football environment regarding inclusion.

2030 AMBITION

Lastly, it trains and engages
grassroots to elite-level
coaches, players, officials andadministrators on the importanceof equal opportunities andinclusion.

Establish an inclusive
football ecosystem thatguarantees equal rights
and opportunities to all
active in the sport.
34 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy– Development of training material,
engagement and awareness across the
football ecosystem.
– Continued work at UEFA to ensure
an inclusive workplace via a staff
compensation audit and diversity andinclusion survey.

IMPROVED ACCESSIBILITY FOR DISABLEDPEOPLE TO STADIUMS, FOOTBALL FACILITIES ANDTELEVISED MATCHES

4

DEDICATED FOOTBALL FOR ALL ABILITIES UNITSACROSS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONSDESCRIPTION

MOVING FORWARD

EXISTING INITIATIVES

Ensure that the footballenvironment and its
infrastructure areaccessible for everyone
who wants to take part,
welcoming players andfans of all abilities.

UEFA engages football coaches
by including Football for All
Abilities in its coach education
programmes. Furthermore, theorganisation actively addresses
barriers by continuing to raise
accessibility levels at stadiums
and events, and by offering
employment, vocational training
or volunteering opportunities.

– Continued partnerships with European
disability football associations and otherstakeholders.

2030 AMBITION
Guarantee barrier-freeaccess for any individual
wanting to play, attend
events or work in football.

– Share good practice to inspire theentire football community.
– Leverage UEFA’s media platforms tocreate increased visibility and recognition.

Lastly, it fosters enhanced
collaboration between footballstakeholders, such as member
associations and European expert
organisations.

35

HEALTH AND WELL-BEINGHEALTH &WELL-BEING

5

REFUGEE SUPPORTTOPICSTOPICSPROGRAMMES TARGETING FOOTBALL FOR
OLDER PEOPLE

AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS TO ORGANISEDFOOTBALL ACTIVITIES, INITIATIVES AND EVENTSIN HOST COMMUNITIESGUIDANCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVECOMPETENCES ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEINGTOPICS AND PROMOTING PREVENTIONYOUTH-FOCUSED AWARENESS-RAISINGCAMPAIGNSREFUGEE
SUPPORTOPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ATHLETES TOACCESS AMATEUR AND ELITE SPORT SUPPORTPROGRAMMES6ADVOCACY OF FOOTBALL’S ROLE IN
STRENGTHENING TIES AND INTERACTIONSBETWEEN HOST COMMUNITIES AND REFUGEESDESCRIPTION

MOVING FORWARD

EXISTING INITIATIVESDESCRIPTION

MOVING FORWARD

EXISTING INITIATIVES

Safeguard health andwell-being through footballactivities across all age
groups and throughawareness-raising activities
around non-communicablediseases.

UEFA operationalises topics suchas physical activity, nutrition,
mental health and avoidance of
substance abuse into campaigns
that leverage world andinternational days across eachcalendar year.

– Coaches for Health, the UEFA
health and well-being programme,
will be implemented by its 55 member
associations, in particular by the coachesof their national men’s and women’s
teams. It advocates the benefits of ahealthy lifestyle across Europe for youth
aged 13 to 17.

This includes competencebuilding across the target groupsof staff, managers, coaches,trainers, mentors and referees.

UEFA, together with UNHCR,
collaborates with European
football stakeholders tooperationalise the above
focus areas. Furthermore, theorganisation will continue to rollout a grants-based programme
providing dedicated funding tomember associations.

– Operationalisation of the cooperationagreement with UNHCR, the UN Refugee
Agency.

2030 AMBITION

Help refugees, asylum
seekers and internallydisplaced people toremain physically andmentally healthy andbecome part of their hostcommunity through thepower of football.

Mobilise the footballcommunity to promotebetter health, active
lifestyles and widen theengagement of players
across age groups,
particularly older people.
36 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

In addition, UEFA continues toenable access to healthy food at
its own events.

– Tobacco-free policy and healthier food
options at UEFA, at matches and hoststadiums, including guidance and training
for stadium owners and event staff.

2030 AMBITION
Be a driving organisation
and advocate theprotection and inclusionof refugees through sport.

Lastly, UEFA collects and shares
good practices to inspire theentire football community aroundtangible ways to support refugees
through football.

– UEFA Football and Refugees Grant
Scheme, in which more than 34 member
associations have participated since its
launch in 2017.
– Use of UEFA’s media platforms toraise awareness about refugees, asylum
seekers and internally displaced people.

37

SOLIDARITY AND RIGHTSTOPICSSOLIDARITY &RIGHTSPROMOTION AND APPLICATION OF UEFA’SHUMAN RIGHTS COMMITMENT ACROSS THE
ORGANISATION’S REGULATIONS, POLICIES,GUIDELINES AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPSRAPID RESPONSE MECHANISMS THATPROVIDE RELIEF, VIA SOLIDARITY GRANTS, IN
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

7DESCRIPTION

MOVING FORWARD

EXISTING INITIATIVES

Afford dignity, respect andequal rights to everyone
involved in football andthe opportunity to play thegame in a spirit of freedom
and solidarity.

UEFA continues to operationalise
its Human Rights Commitment
by catalysing actions acrossregulations, policies, guidelines
and business relationships.

– UEFA Human Rights Commitment,
approved in 2021, serving as the basis
for the development of the specificpolicies laid out in this 2030 Football
Sustainability Strategy.

2030 AMBITION
Embed human rights
principles into all strategic
decisions and business
relationships and berecognised for valuable
initiatives of solidarity
in the European football
ecosystem.
38 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

In addition, UEFA continuously
improves solidarity mechanisms(including natural disaster grants)that contribute to the restorationof football assets through seedfunding.

– Natural disaster grants, open to all 55
UEFA member associations to apply foron behalf of their football community.
– Working group examining issues
surrounding workers’ rights in the context
of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

39

10

POLICIESRESPECT THE ENVIRONMENTThe Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the UN Sports for Climate
Action Framework, the European Climate Pact and the European Green
Deal have sent a decisive and global signal that the transition to a
thriving, green economy is imperative. Each societal actor has to be partof the solution in the crucial decade ahead and football can play animportant role.
ENVIRONMENT AND FOOTBALL
Environmental issues represent
a potential risk for football.
For instance, climate-related
episodes such as flooding andextreme weather have alreadydamaged football infrastructureand negatively impacted leagues
in both professional and amateur
football. Likewise, air pollution
impairs football performance andcan have long-lasting physicaleffects. Football’s environmental
impact is mainly related to theorganisation of events as well as
infrastructure construction andmanagement, with impacts acrosstravel, transport, energy, andwaste management, for example.

40 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACTIn accordance with theEnvironmental Commitment
approved in 2021, UEFA isdetermined to be part ofthe solution to preserve andregenerate the environment andleverage the power of football
to raise awareness and catalyse
action.
Along the way, it measuresprogress on how it prevents,
minimises and remediates
the impact of football on theenvironment.

THE FOLLOWING 4 POLICIES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIEDFOR THE STRATEGIC PERIOD OF 2021–30 AND ARE
EXPLAINED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:CIRCULARECONOMY

CLIMATE &ADVOCACY

8

9

EVENT
SUSTAINABILITYINFRASTRUCTURE
SUSTAINABILITY

10

11
41

CIRCULAR ECONOMYCIRCULARECONOMY

CLIMATE AND ADVOCACYTOPICSTOPICS

4R PROCESSES AND TOOLS EMBEDDED IN
FOOTBALL INFRASTRUCTURE REGULATIONSREDUCTION OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT CARBON
EMISSIONS RELATED TO UEFA’S OPERATIONSAND EVENTS

4R APPROACH FOR UEFA OPERATIONS AND
EVENTS

CLIMATE &ADVOCACY

PREVENTION AND MONITORING OF UEFA’SENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AROUND UEFACIRCULAR ECONOMY PILOT PROJECTS89DESCRIPTION

MOVING FORWARD

EXISTING INITIATIVESDESCRIPTION

Optimise the consumption
and life cycle of products,
most notably food,packaging and branded
items throughout UEFA
operations and events.

UEFA catalyses circular
economy solutions together
with partners and stadiums/
event venues, with a particularfocus on product packaging,plastics, single-use items, foodloss and waste. Furthermore, it
integrates circularity criteria in
the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure
Regulations as well as in UEFA
campus facility management. The
organisation also creates andcontinuously updates a repositoryof best practices targeting
football, capturing innovations
and lessons learned acrossmember associations, leagues
and clubs.

– Identifying best practices for food andbeverage packaging in collaboration
with PepsiCo, UEFA Champions League
partner for the 2021/22 to 2023/24
seasons.

Prevent or reduce thedegradation of theenvironment by
football-related
activities, whileleveraging the sport’s
reach and visibility to
advocate the urgency ofaction.

2030 AMBITION
Embed the 4R approach– built around Reducing,
Reusing, Recycling,
and Recovering – in all
operations to minimise
the impact of football on
the environment and drive
resource efficiency andcost savings.
42 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy– UEFA innovation hub start-up
challenge to source scalable solutions towaste reduction challenges around matchdays.

2030 AMBITION
Reduce European
football’s carbon
footprint and be acredible reference
partner for organisations
working on climate
protection.

PROMOTION AND APPLICATION OF UEFA’SENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT ACROSS THE
ORGANISATION’S REGULATIONS, POLICIES,GUIDELINES AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
AWARENESS-RAISING AND ADVOCACY OF CLIMATEACTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONACROSS THE FOOTBALL COMMUNITY
MOVING FORWARD

EXISTING INITIATIVESUEFA transitions from a relianceon compensation to a focus
on reducing emissions from its
carbon footprint. Furthermore, it
leverages the global popularityof UEFA’s elite competitions tocommunicate about the urgencyof climate action. Alongside,a repository of best practices
in football solutions targeting
environmental protection will becreated, capturing innovations
and lessons learned. Lastly, UEFA
continues efforts to minimise its
internal organisational footprint.

– Signatory to the UN Sport for Climate
Action Framework.
– Launch of The World’s Best Trickadvertisement campaign with theEuropean Commission, promoting the EU
Green Deal’s Call to Action.
– Cleaner Air, Better Game campaign
focused on the impact of air pollution on
young footballers.
– Embedding sustainability principles andpractices at the UEFA campus in Nyon.

43

EVENT SUSTAINABILITYEVENTSUSTAINABILITYINFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY

TOPICSTOPICSDEVELOPMENT OF UEFA SUSTAINABLE
EVENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMGUIDELINES FOR SUSTAINABLE
FOOTBALL VENUESPROMOTION OF THE SYSTEM ACROSS EUROPE,INCLUDING CAPACITY BUILDING AT MEMBERASSOCIATION, LEAGUE AND CLUB LEVELINFRASTRUCTURE
SUSTAINABILITY

11

10

PROMOTION AND APPLICATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE
SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA ACROSS UEFA’S
GOVERNANCE, POLICIES AND GUIDELINESKNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AROUND BESTPRACTICES IN STADIUM INFRASTRUCTURE

DESCRIPTION

MOVING FORWARD

EXISTING INITIATIVESDESCRIPTION

MOVING FORWARD

EXISTING INITIATIVES

Design, plan andimplement events in waysthat prevent or reduce
negative environmental
impacts on host cities
and surrounding
communities.

The creation of the UEFA sustainable
event management system (SEMS)
will enable the measurement andbenchmarking of event sustainability
in football and provide end-to-end
traceability of UEFA’s impacts acrossits events. In the further implementationof the system, UEFA will collaborateclosely with member associations,leagues and clubs. This will result in aprocess of continuous improvement
around areas such as carbon footprint
measurement, sustainable procurement
and waste management. Lastly, thiswill lead to further cooperation andinnovation with host cities, partners
and other football stakeholders toshape a sustainable legacy for events.

– Running carbon neutral UEFA
events across the European
Under-21 finals in 2021, UEFAEURO 2020, the UEFA Champions
League and UEFA Europa League
finals.

Football infrastructure
provides long-term
financial and environmental
benefits to operators andstrengthens the legacy ofcommon spaces for local
communities.

UEFA produces a Guide to
Sustainable Stadiums, which
integrates best practices ina wide range of areas (e.g.
pitch treatment, energy, water,materials, electricity, mobility).

– Participation in Greenfoot, an
EU project run alongside member
associations using crowdfunding schemes
to finance energy efficient renovations
and renewable energy installations in
sport buildings.

2030 AMBITION
Setting a new benchmark
for zero-impact sporting
events by developing
and rolling out UEFA’s
own sustainable event
management system.

44 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy– Piloting the UEFA sustainable
event management system (SEMS)
at Women’s EURO 2022. The firstfull implementation will take place
at EURO 2024 in Germany.
– Ensuring that UEFA’s event
sustainability priorities arereflected in event bidding
requirements and resulting planslaid out by local organising
structures.

2030 AMBITION
Continue to raise the barfor European footballinfrastructure by setting
criteria and sharing
best practices for a newgeneration of sustainablefootball venues.

Furthermore, UEFA integrates
sustainability criteria into
its Stadium Infrastructure
Regulations as part of the UEFAclub licensing system.

– Engagement in Life Tackle, aninternational project co-funded by
the EU to improve the environmental
management of football matches and theoverall level of environmental awareness.

45

11

THE WAY FORWARD TO 2030

FROM STRATEGYTO ACTIONTURNING THE UEFA FOOTBALL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY INTO CONCRETE
ACTION REQUIRES A WILLINGNESS TO ADAPT FROM ALL PARTIES INVOLVED.
Difficult trade-offs might have to be discussed and made concerning short term
versus long term, profit versus purpose, risks versus opportunities and priority setting.
UEFA will accelerate the process by implementing the following priority steps:-

Football-related action plans for each policy.

-

A community of sustainability managers connected by a common process andcommon terminology.

-

Guidelines and support programmes for developing sustainability strategies atmember associations and other football stakeholders.

-

Measurement and monitoring for (annual) reporting on actions and results.

-

ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria linking sustainability,
operational and financing strategies.

This journey will present challenges on the way.
To overcome these, the European football
ecosystem must acknowledge the urgency foraction and collaborate around a common agenda.
As the future of football is close to all our hearts,
UEFA calls upon the entire football community toplay their part.
Strength through unity!

46 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

47

TARGETS AND KEY
PERFORMANCE INDICATORSAs shown in the following pages, for each of the 11 policies, topics have been translated
into targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) which will guide the action plan.
Recognising where we are today, we have developed aspirational and operationaltargets to demonstrate our commitment towards the long-term ambitions of our 11
policies. Aspirational targets pertaining to seven specific policies represent the ultimate
sustainable impacts to be achieved by 2030 by UEFA within its organisation and withreference to its events, as well as collaboratively across European football.
Operational targets represent the drivers of our aspirations and are related to thelevers that UEFA can mobilise to inspire, activate and accelerate sustainable change.
These targets are further qualified in terms of timing (short, medium and long term) andlevel of difficulty (increasing from 1 to 5). To ensure transparency and accountability,
we have defined specific KPIs to continuously monitor our progress against both
aspirational and operational targets. Lastly, a link to specific Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) is also provided to integrate our targets and the SDG framework.
2030 ASPIRATIONAL TARGETS-

48 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

ANTI-RACISM: Zero racist incidents across all UEFA events and collaboratively
across European football by 2030.
CHILD & YOUTH PROTECTION: Zero episodes of abuse, with reference to UEFA
events and collaboratively across European football played by children and youth, by
2030.
EQUALITY & INCLUSION: Zero episodes of discrimination within UEFA, withreference to UEFA events and collaboratively across European football, by 2030.
FOOTBALL FOR ALL ABILITIES: Triple the number of football players withdisabilities collaboratively across European football and double the number ofpeople with disabilities working within UEFA and for UEFA events by 2030.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY: Zero plastic waste and food waste – within UEFA, acrossUEFA events and collaboratively across European football – by 2030.
CLIMATE AND ADVOCACY: Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 – inview of achieving net zero carbon by 2040 within UEFA, across UEFA events andcollaboratively across European football.
EVENT SUSTAINABILITY: Continuously improve each UEFA event’s sustainability
index score to optimise it by 2030.

49

ANTI-RACISM

1CHILD & YOUTHPROTECTION

ANTI-RACISMTOPICSALL

1.
ANTI-RACISM MEASURESACROSS UEFAREGULATIONS, POLICIES,GUIDELINES ANDCOMMUNICATIONS

2.
PREVENTIVE ANDEDUCATIONAL PLANS
AND ACTIONS, WITH A
PARTICULAR FOCUS ON
CHILDREN AND YOUTH

3.
PLANS ANDCOLLABORATIVEACTION TO IDENTIFY,INVESTIGATE AND
SANCTION RACISM IN
FOOTBALL.

4.
TRANSPARENTREPORTING SYSTEMSAND ACCESS TO REMEDY2

TARGETS

KPIs

TIMING &DIFFICULTY*

Zero racist incidents across all
UEFA events and collaboratively
across European football by 2030

Number of incidents

L5

UEFA regulations, policies andguidelines as applicable embedanti-racism criteria by 2024

% of applicable regulations,policies and guidelines including
anti-racism criteria

M4UEFA communications andawareness campaigns alignedwith anti-racism principles

Number of people reached by the
campaign

S2

Activity status

M3

100% of member associations
reached by educational
programmes by 2024

% of member associations

M4

Monitoring of at-risk matches
through the match monitoring
schemeReporting and remedy structuresin place across all UEFA
competitions by 2024, and for all
55 member associations by 2030

TOPICS

ALL

Number of communications

Develop a plan for a preventive
and educational programme(including online abuse and hatespeech) by 2024

Respect management systemdeveloped by 2025

SDGs

CHILD AND YOUTH PROTECTION

Activity status

Number of matches monitored% of UEFA competitions% of member associations

M4

S2

M4
L4

1.
NETWORK AND
TRAINING OF CHILD AND
YOUTH PROTECTION
OFFICERS IN EUROPEAN
FOOTBALL

2.
ONLINE UEFA CHILDSAFEGUARDING
PLATFORM

3.
EVENT-SPECIFIC
CHILD AND YOUTHSAFEGUARDING
ARRANGEMENTS AND
PROTOCOLS, INCLUDINGACCESS TO REMEDYTARGETS

KPIs

TIMING &DIFFICULTY*

Zero episodes of abuse, withreference to UEFA events andcollaboratively across European
football played by children andyouth by 2030

Number of abuse episodes

L5100% of member associations
nominate focal points by 2022

% of member associations

S1

Implement focal point requirement
in UEFA Club Licensing
Regulations by 2023

Activity Status

S3

100% of member association focal
points trained by 2024

Total number of training
participants (entity or individual)

M2

100 % of member associations
have a child and youth protection
policy in place by 2025

% of member associations

M4

Increase by 50% coverage of thedigital UEFA child safeguarding
platform by 2023 (compared withseason 2020/21)

Platform coverage %S2Event-specific child and youth
safeguarding protocol standard
for member associations available
by 2024

Activity status

M2

Risk analysis across all thecountries of UEFA’s member
associations available by 2022

Number of countries covered

S4

SDGs

*Timing: S = short, M = medium, L = long term. Difficulty from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

50 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

51

EQUALITY &INCLUSION

3

FOOTBALL FOR
ALL ABILITIESEQUALITY AND INCLUSIONTOPICSALL

1.
EQUALITY AND
INCLUSION MEASURESACROSS UEFAREGULATIONS, POLICIES,GUIDELINES ANDCOMMUNICATIONS
AND
2.
UEFA ADVOCATINGEQUAL OPPORTUNITIESFOR WOMEN IN THE
FOOTBALL ECOSYSTEM

3.
MEASURES AGAINSTDISCRIMINATION BASEDON GENDER, AGE,SEXUAL ORIENTATION,RELIGION, OR ABILITIES

4.
AWARENESS CAMPAIGNSON EQUALITY AND
INCLUSIONTARGETSKPIs

Zero episodes of discrimination
within UEFA, with reference toUEFA events and collaboratively
across European football, by 2030

Number of incidents

UEFA regulations, policies andguidelines as applicableembed equality and inclusion
criteria by 2024

% of applicable regulations,policies and guidelines
including equality and inclusion
criteria

UEFA communications andawareness campaigns alignedwith equality and inclusion criteria

Equal pay certification awarded
to UEFA by 2022 and promotionof the scheme across member
associations

Equality and inclusion awarenesstoolkits for member associations
distributed by 2024

TIMING &DIFFICULTY*

SDGs

FOOTBALL FOR ALL ABILITIESTOPICS

L5
ALL

Number of people reached by the
campaign

Activity status% of member associations% of member associations

S2

1.
INCREASED ACCESS TO
PLAYING OPPORTUNITIESAS WELL AS VOCATIONAL
TRAINING, EMPLOYMENTAND VOLUNTEERING

Triple the number of football
players with disabilities
collaboratively across European
football and double the numberof people with disabilities working
within UEFA and for UEFA eventsby 2030

M2

100% of member associations
offer playing opportunities foreveryone who wants to take partby 2028

100% of member associations
offer specific training programmes
for coaches by 2026

S2

KPIs

Number of new players withdisabilities
Number of employees withdisabilities

TIMING &DIFFICULTY*

SDGs

L4

% of member associations% of member associations
Number of trained coaches

L4

M4

2.
IMPROVEDACCESSIBILITY FORDISABLED PEOPLE TO
STADIUMS, FOOTBALL
FACILITIES ANDTELEVISED MATCHES

100% of UEFA events stadiums
and televised matches comply
with UEFA infrastructure andaccessibility requirements by 2026

% of venues and matchescomplying with UEFA accessibility
requirements

M5

3.
DEDICATED FOOTBALL
FOR ALL ABILITIESUNITS ACROSS MEMBERASSOCIATIONS

80% of member associations rollout Football for All Abilities units
by 2030% of member associations

L5

S2

Response rate
Average Equality and Inclusion
score

TARGETS

M4

Number of communications

Equality and inclusion permanentworking group officially recognised Activity status
by 2022Run Equality and Inclusion surveys
acrossEuropean football reaching atleast 60% of response by 2025

4

M4*Timing: S = short, M = medium, L = long term. Difficulty from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

52 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

53

HEALTH &WELL-BEING

5

REFUGEE
SUPPORTHEALTH AND WELL-BEINGTOPICSTARGETSUEFA plan dedicated to
involvement of older people infootball, in place by 2024

KPIs

Activity status

6
TIMING &DIFFICULTY*% of member associations

TOPICS

M4

1.
PROGRAMMESTARGETING FOOTBALLFOR OLDER PEOPLE

30% of member associationsorganise football activities forolder people by 2027

SDGs

REFUGEE SUPPORTL3TARGETS

70% of member associations
offering participation
opportunities for refugees by 2025

2.
GUIDANCE AND
RECOMMENDATIONS TO
IMPROVE COMPETENCES
ON HEALTH AND
WELL-BEING TOPICS
AND PROMOTINGPREVENTION

3.
YOUTH-FOCUSEDAWARENESS-RAISINGCAMPAIGNS

Medical check-up dedicated forUEFA staff

80% of member associations
collaborate with UEFA forawareness campaigns by 2024

Number of people reached bymaterial% of staff attendance% of member associations active

TIMING &DIFFICULTY*

SDGs

Number of member associations
Number of initiatives

M4

Number of players

1.
AVAILABILITY ANDACCESS TO ORGANISEDFOOTBALL ACTIVITIES,INITIATIVES AND EVENTSIN HOST COMMUNITIESDevelopment of football
tournaments across Europe by2026

Guidance material for UEFA staff,
available by 2022

KPIs

Activity status

M5

S2

2.
OPPORTUNITIES FORYOUNG ATHLETES TOACCESS AMATEUR AND
ELITE SPORT SUPPORTPROGRAMMES

50% of member associations
offering football development
initiatives for young refugees by
2027

3.
ADVOCACY OFFOOTBALL’S ROLE IN
STRENGTHENING TIESAND INTERACTIONSBETWEEN HOST
COMMUNITIES ANDREFUGEES

50% of member associations
publicly advocating social
inclusion of refugees by 2025

% of member associations
Number of initiatives

L5

Number of players

S2

S3

Number of member associations
working with a regional / national
UNHCR agency

M3*Timing: S = short, M = medium, L = long term. Difficulty from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

54 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

55

SOLIDARITY &RIGHTS

7

CIRCULARECONOMYSOLIDARITY AND RIGHTSTOPICS

1.
PROMOTION AND
APPLICATION OF
UEFA’S HUMAN RIGHTSCOMMITMENT ACROSS
THE ORGANISATION’SREGULATIONS,POLICIES, GUIDELINES
AND BUSINESSRELATIONSHIPS

2.
RAPID RESPONSEMECHANISMS THATPROVIDE RELIEF (VIA
SOLIDARITY GRANTS) IN
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

KPIs

TIMING &DIFFICULTY*% of applicable regulations,policies and guidelines including
human rights criteria

M4

ALL

M3

1.
4R PROCESSES ANDTOOLS EMBEDDEDIN FOOTBALLINFRASTRUCTURE
REGULATIONSTARGETSUEFA regulations, policies andguidelines as applicable embedhuman rights criteria by 2024

8UEFA codes of conduct forbusiness relationships aligned with
Human Rights Commitment by2024% of business relationships aligned

Advocacy and awareness networkon human rights issues by 2024

Number of entities involved(organisations/individuals)

Number of member associations
aware of the UEFA grant scheme

TOPICSTARGETS

Zero plastic waste and foodwaste – within UEFA, across UEFA
events and collaboratively acrossEuropean football – by 2030

UEFA infrastructure guidelines
embed 4R criteria by 2025
Encourage member associations
to apply UEFA 4R criteria

M3

2.
4R APPROACH FOR
UEFA OPERATIONS AND
EVENTS

4R methodology for UEFA eventswith a particular focus on productpackaging, plastics, single-use
items, and food loss and waste
available by 2024

M3

3.
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
AROUND UEFA 4R PILOTPROJECTS

One circular economy pilot project
per season until 2025

Response time
100% of requests processed within
one month

SDGs

CIRCULAR ECONOMY
KPIs

Plastic waste amountFood waste amount% of UEFA applicableinfrastructure guidelines
embedding circular economy
criteria

TIMING &DIFFICULTY*

SDGs

L5

M4

% of member associations

Activity status

Number of entities involved in the
project

M4

S3% of waste reduction*Timing: S = short, M = medium, L = long term. Difficulty from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

56 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

57

CLIMATE &ADVOCACY

9CLIMATE AND ADVOCACYTOPICSTARGETS

1.
REDUCTION IN DIRECT
AND INDIRECT CARBON
EMISSIONS RELATED TO
UEFA’S OPERATIONS AND
EVENTS

Cut greenhouse gas emissions by
50% by 2030 – in view of achieving
net zero carbon by 2040 withinUEFA, across UEFA events, andcollaboratively across European
football2.
PREVENTION AND
MONITORING OF UEFA’SENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACTS

3.
PROMOTION AND
APPLICATION OF UEFA’SENVIRONMENTAL
COMMITMENT ACROSS
THE ORGANISATION’SREGULATIONS,POLICIES, GUIDELINES
AND BUSINESSRELATIONSHIPS

4.
AWARENESS-RAISING
AND ADVOCACY OF
CLIMATE ACTION ANDENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION ACROSS
THE FOOTBALLCOMMUNITYEVENT
SUSTAINABILITY

KPIs

10
TIMING &DIFFICULTY*

SDGs

TOPICS

Events carbon emissions
Events carbon emission intensity(per number of live spectator)

L5

Number of UEFA events monitored

M4

ALL

Measure the environmental impactof all UEFA events by 2024
Encourage clubs and member
associations to measure impacts
of competitions

TARGETS

KPIs

TIMING &DIFFICULTY*

Continuously improve each UEFA
event’s sustainability index score
to optimise it by 2030

Events sustainability index
average

L5

UEFA sustainable event
management system (SEMS)
available by 2023

Activity status

S4

100% of bidding processes include
requirements related to the 11
sustainability policies, by 2022

% of bidding processes

S3

Provide dedicated SEMS training
to all member associations by
2025% of member associations trained

M3

SDGs

1.
DEVELOPMENT OF UEFAMANAGEMENT SYSTEMRELATED TO EVENTS’
IMPACTSUEFA regulations, policies andguidelines as applicable embedclimate and advocacy criteria by
2024% of applicable regulations,policies and guidelines including
climate and advocacy criteria

M4UEFA codes of conduct forbusiness relationships aligned withEnvironmental Commitment% of business relationships aligned

M4Campaign reach of over 2.5 billion
TV audience by 2024

EVENT SUSTAINABILITY  

Number of people reached by the
campaign

2.
PROMOTION OF THE
SYSTEM ACROSSEUROPE, INCLUDING
CAPACITY BUILDING AT
MEMBER ASSOCIATION,LEAGUE AND CLUB
LEVEL

S3

*Timing: S = short, M = medium, L = long term. Difficulty from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

58 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

59

INFRASTRUCTURE
SUSTAINABILITY11

INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY  TOPICS

1.
GUIDELINES FORSUSTAINABLE FOOTBALLINFRASTRUCTURE

2.
PROMOTION AND
APPLICATION OF
INFRASTRUCTURE
SUSTAINABILITY
CRITERIA ACROSSUEFA’S GOVERNANCE,POLICIES ANDGUIDELINES

3.
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
AROUND BESTPRACTICES IN STADIUMINFRASTRUCTURE

TARGETSUEFA guidelines for sustainableinfrastructure available by 2022

UEFA regulations, policies andguidelines as applicable embed
infrastructure sustainability
criteria by 2024

Knowledge sharing network inplace by 2023

KPIs

TIMING &DIFFICULTY*

Activity status

S4% of applicable regulations,policies and guidelines including
infrastructure sustainability
criteria

M3% of member associations
involved

S2

SDGs*Timing: S = short, M = medium, L = long term. Difficulty from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

60 UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy

61

UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy© UEFA, Nyon
Publisher: Union of European Football Associations
Author and Executive: Michele Uva
Report coordinator: Filippo Veglio
Advisors: Ariela Caglio and Peter Klomp
Support: Football and Social Responsibility Division Team
Editorial, design and layout:
For enquiries or feedback, contact the UEFA Football and Social Responsibility Division,+41 848 00 27 27, fsr@uefa.ch
Nyon, December 2021

UEFA
ROUTE DE GENÈVE 46
CH-1260 NYON 2SWITZERLAND
TELEPHONE: +41 848 00 27 27UEFA.COM