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At the initiative of the Qarabag football club, an Alliance of Football Clubs to Combat Climate Change will be created within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Agreement on Climate Change (COP29), held in Baku.
As Day.Az reports with reference to İdman.biz, the teams that will take part in the event will arrive in Baku on the evening of November 15.
Together with our team, the Alliance, which will be created with the support of the COP29 Presidium and the United Nations Department of Sport and Climate Change (UNFCCC) and established by Qarabag together with the European Club Association (ECA), will include 10 clubs.
At the invitation of our club, Liverpool, Tottenham (both England), Atletico Madrid, Real Betis (both Spain), Fenerbahce, Galatasaray (both Turkey), Udinese (Italy) will take part in COP29 ), “Porto” (Portugal), “Flamengo” (Brazil), “Malmo” (Sweden), who have extensive experience in combating climate change and sustainable development issues. These clubs, always sensitive to the issues listed, developing and implementing memorable projects, will sign a document creating an alliance. Liverpool, which currently leads world football in terms of sustainability, and Udinese, one of the leaders in this area, will share their wealth of experience with other clubs. The clubs will present unique sustainable development projects that they have implemented. The mentioned 11 well-known clubs will be considered the founders of the organization. Later, Qarabag and ECA will invite other clubs active in terms of sustainable development to this alliance.
It should be noted that the event to create the alliance will take place on November 16 at 14:00 in the Nasimi hall of the Blue Zone and will be open to everyone who has been accredited in the Blue Zone.
How can COP29 influence sustainability efforts in sports organizations?
Interview Setting: Time.news Office – Baku, Azerbaijan
[Scene: The Time.news editor, Amina Zeynalova, sits across from Dr. Farid Mammadov, an environmental economist and expert in climate change initiatives in sports.]
Amina Zeynalova: Welcome, Dr. Mammadov! It’s a pleasure to have you here today. We’re excited about the upcoming COP29 and the innovative steps being taken by Qarabag football club. Could you tell us more about this Alliance of Football Clubs to Combat Climate Change?
Dr. Farid Mammadov: Thank you, Amina! It’s great to be here. The alliance is a remarkable initiative aimed at leveraging the global influence of football to advocate for climate action. By involving ten clubs from around the world, they’re not only raising awareness but also showcasing the power of collaboration in addressing climate change.
Amina Zeynalova: That’s an inspiring goal! How do you see the role of sports in combatting climate change?
Dr. Farid Mammadov: Sports have a unique ability to unite people across cultures and countries. They can mobilize fans and communities to engage in environmental initiatives. This alliance could potentially encourage fans to adopt more sustainable practices and advocate for stronger climate policies in their local communities.
Amina Zeynalova: Absolutely! The world of football has such a tremendous reach. What specific actions can these clubs take that would make a significant impact?
Dr. Farid Mammadov: Clubs can implement several strategies, such as reducing their carbon footprints by improving energy efficiency in their stadiums, promoting public transport for fans, and engaging in community tree-planting campaigns. Additionally, they can use their platforms to educate fans about sustainability initiatives and the importance of climate action.
Amina Zeynalova: It sounds like an exciting movement! How do you think the outcome of COP29 will influence such initiatives within sports?
Dr. Farid Mammadov: The outcomes of COP29 could pave the way for more structured engagement between sports organizations and climate policymakers. If the conference yields new international commitments or funding for climate-related programs, clubs may be incentivized to participate more actively in environmental advocacy.
Amina Zeynalova: Speaking of influence, which clubs from around the globe have shown particular promise in sustainability efforts leading up to this initiative?
Dr. Farid Mammadov: Clubs like FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund have already taken significant steps toward sustainability. They have implemented green policies and initiatives that reduce their environmental impact. Their participation in the Alliance could set a precedent for others to follow.
Amina Zeynalova: That’s a great point! What do you hope to see from the discussions at COP29 regarding sports and climate change?
Dr. Farid Mammadov: I hope to see a clear recognition of the role that sports can play in climate action. It would be fantastic to see commitments from leagues and clubs to adopt sustainable practices and to ally with environmental organizations. The more we can integrate climate action into the sports framework, the better.
Amina Zeynalova: Thank you, Dr. Mammadov! It’s uplifting to learn how the power of football can contribute to such an important cause. We look forward to seeing the outcomes from COP29 and the progress from this Alliance of Football Clubs.
Dr. Farid Mammadov: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to see what the future holds for both football and environmental action.
[Scene: The interview concludes with smiles, and both the editor and expert share a hopeful outlook on the future of climate change initiatives in sports.]