How climate change could damage football

Football is a national obsession in Britain, with millions of fans attending matches every year and watching games on TV. But recently our warming climate has caused games to be cancelled because of dangerous weather, and severe flooding at grounds.

By 2050, a quarter of all English league stadiums could be impacted by seasonal flooding.

Climate change is becoming a key issue in football, with clubs up and down the country facing regular flooding. For instance, AFC Wimbledon had to call off matches recently after a sinkhole caused by extensive flooding appeared on their pitch. 

The Rapid Transition Alliance predicts that by 2030, London clubs Fulham, Chelsea, West Ham, Millwall, and Charlton will experience game cancellations, waterlogged pitches, and possible long-term closures because of the weather. By 2050, a quarter of all English league stadiums could be impacted by seasonal flooding.

Premier League football stadiums flooded

Football in the Flood, an initiative using AI-generated images, brings this issue to life by visualising iconic London stadiums submerged under floodwater. Craven Cottage, Stamford Bridge and the London Stadium are particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to waterways.

Like other sports, protecting UK football from the worst effects of climate change can still be achieved if governing bodies, clubs and fans all play a part in combatting the threat.

Sustainability is already a focus for governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA, who both signed the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.

In the UK, several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Brentford, are setting their own net-zero targets. And it isn’t just the big clubs – National League side Forest Green Rovers has led the way in environmental action by committing to halving its carbon footprint by 2030 and by becoming the world’s first fully vegan football club.

What can football fans do about climate change?

Fans want greater scrutiny of club owners and sponsors and for clubs to commit to emission reductions over the next decade.

The majority of fans believe much more action is needed, with many saying clubs should make it easier for them to adopt sustainable choices at grounds.

They want greater scrutiny of club owners and sponsors, more consideration of climate impact when scheduling fixtures, and for clubs to commit to emission reductions over the next decade.

Fans can petition their clubs’ leaders and push for better climate awareness. Organisations like Football for Future provide guidance on asking clubs the key questions including on merchandise and travel. Reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions is essential because you can’t kick a ball under water. More fixtures, more countries and more travel are all adding to the carbon footprint of the sport. The carbon footprint of the football industry is similar to the emissions of Austria or burning 150 million barrels of oil a year!

Show the polluters a red card

Political action is crucial to stop the pollution caused by burning fossil fuels.

The amount of sponsorship from oil producing countries and companies is a big issue. Qatar reportedly spent over £170 billion on staging the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and another petro state, Saudi Arabia, is hosting the World Cup in 2034, in a move labelled ‘sport-washing’ to try to clean up their countries image.

Political action is crucial to stop the pollution caused by burning fossil fuels and football fans can email their clubs and MPs, urging them to prioritise climate policies that protect sports – both the people and the infrastructure.

Football unites millions of us, young and old but its future is at stake because of global warming. Fans, clubs, and policymakers must work together to make sure that “the beautiful game” continues for generations to come and kick polluters out of the game.

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