Frankfurt - Saba:
UEFA and the German Football Association (DFB) announced last night that the last European Cup of Nations (Euro 2024), hosted by Germany this summer, was accompanied by €29.6 million (US$32.2 million) in sustainability investments.
The two federations said in a joint statement: These investments allowed UEFA to implement more than 120 sustainability measures and achieve 95 per cent of its targets ahead of the continental competition.
The statement added: Air travel was reduced by 75 per cent compared to Euro 2016 in France, carbon emissions by 21 per cent and waste by 36 per cent.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said: ‘We have succeeded in making sustainability a key issue for Euro 2024 and we are proud of that.’ ‘We will continue to push the cause of sustainability: ‘We will continue to push the cause of sustainability, and it will naturally be an integral part of our bid to host the UEFA Women's European Championship in 2029.’
In addition, the Climate Fund provided seven million euros to support 272 sustainable infrastructure projects for amateur clubs and regional associations across Germany.
However, environmental associations have criticised the actions taken at the last UEFA EURO, especially regarding some of the short trips made by the teams, the use of too much plastic for UEFA merchandise and not enough recyclable packaging for food and drinks.
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