Her move into professional football, including spells with Juventus and the Danish national team, gave that concern a platform. “I realised that football has a platform… I’m not the most followed player in the world, but I do have big brands behind me. That gives you a responsibility.”

The ‘hypocrisy trap’ holding players back

Despite growing awareness, Pedersen believes many players remain reluctant to speak out. “I experience that many are afraid of speaking up about climate because they are afraid of being called a hypocrite,” she says, pointing to the unavoidable reality of flying in elite sport.

For Pedersen, that argument misses the point. “If you have to be perfect in the sense of not having any carbon footprint, then nobody would be able to speak up about climate change. Everyone should be honest about the fact that they are not perfect and then show support for climate action.” Even simple statements, she argues, matter: “Saying ‘I worry about the future because of climate change’ will have an impact, because sport speaks to so many people.”

Challenging football’s contradictions

Pedersen has been willing to challenge the structures of the game itself. In 2024, she joined more than 100 professional players in an open letter protesting FIFA’s sponsorship deal with Saudi Aramco. While some saw the deal as financial progress for women’s football, Pedersen viewed it differently. “By promoting an oil company we are also promoting the continuous destruction of our climate, which is already impacting football around the world,” she says.

She highlights a wider contradiction: the expansion of competitions, more matches, and more long-haul travel are often framed as ‘development’. “In a world without CO₂ emissions, I would support that. But climate change is a huge threat to football and sport in general – and it already affects sport around the world.”

When climate change hits the pitch

For Pedersen, climate change is not abstract. She recalls training in 36-degree heat in Italy: “It was impossible. I couldn’t finish the training; I started seeing black.” Heavy rain has also destroyed pitches, undermining performance and the spectacle for fans. These experiences, she says, underline why governing bodies must treat climate resilience as a core sporting issue, not a side project.

What football can – and should – do

Pedersen believes football’s wealth brings responsibility. “The football industry is very rich… so there is no excuse not to invest much more in sustainability.” Her wish list for clubs and federations includes switching to trains and buses where possible, compensating unavoidable flights, using renewable energy in stadiums, reducing single-use plastics, and offering more plant-based food options.

She also points to models such as Common Goal’s 1% contribution as inspiration. “I would like some kind of ‘climate tax’ or ‘development tax’ for the football industry,” she suggests.

Above all, her message is about momentum rather than perfection. “We must get over the fact that we are not perfect, and then inspire each other to be part of the green transition. Everyone will benefit from climate action.”