News article
Eintracht Frankfurt accelerates sustainability drive
German Bundesliga football club Eintracht Frankfurt has established a sustainability advisory board.
The board will be focused on the three pillars of the environment, social responsibility and governance (ESG).
Frankfurt previously developed an independent ESG tool and rating system tailored to the sports and entertainment industry at the start of 2021. The basis for the rating system is more than 300 reliable sustainability criteria, and this process aids the club in identifying its strengths and progress, as well as its need for action.
After sustainability data was collected, with help from ESG certification company DeKoBe ESG, Eintracht Frankfurt achieved an ESG rating of 59/100 in 2021. The second data collection in 2022 saw an improvement with a rating of 66/100.
Axel Hellmann, the club’s chief executive, said: “We are starting a process that also includes holding on the mirror and being aware of the size of the challenge on the basis of clear figures, data and facts. Here we also face a certain measurability, which is why a data-driven ESG rating is an essential milestone for us.
“Here we also face a certain measurability, which is why a data-driven ESG rating is an essential milestone for us. The results so far show that we are on the right track in the areas of social and governance and that the attitude and values of the club are strongly noticeable here.
“At the same time, it makes it clear that we are only at the beginning and that there is a great need for action, especially in the area of ecological sustainability. We interpret this as a clear mission to develop ourselves in all areas.”
“We want to anchor sustainable thinking and acting even more strongly at all levels in our club."
Hellmann added: “We want to anchor sustainable thinking and acting even more strongly at all levels in our club. With the development of our ESG strategy, the creation of a rating and the convening of a sustainability advisory board, we have laid an important foundation.
“Now it is important to pursue the topic with all consistency, implement concrete measures to improve our performance and take a pioneering role in the field of ESG.”
Image: Snipermatze/ CC BY-SA 3.0/ Edited for size