A detailed post-event Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report reveals the outcomes of a strategy built on 11 action areas and 97 performance measures, demonstrating a profound commitment to environmental protection, social inclusion, and transparent governance.

The tournament was guided by a clear philosophy, as articulated by Michele Uva, UEFA’s executive director of social and environmental sustainability. “UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 demonstrated that sustainability can be integrated into every aspect of a major sporting event,” Uva stated. This ethos was not just a tagline but a measurable reality, woven into the fabric of the competition.

A New Blueprint for Green Tournaments

The environmental achievements of the tournament were perhaps the most tangible. With 34 carbon reduction measures implemented, the organisers tackled the event’s footprint head-on.

The flagship initiative was ‘smart mobility’. Recognising that spectator travel is a primary source of emissions, UEFA and its partners, including Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), provided free public transport to all ticket holders on matchdays.

The results were impressive: 87% of all fans used sustainable transport to reach the stadiums. This figure includes 66% who utilised the free public transport network, bolstered by over 400 additional train services, and another 20% who opted to walk or cycle. This was encouraged by measures like clustering group stage matches to reduce team travel and minimising public parking at venues.

The commitment to the environment extended far beyond transport. The tournament achieved an extraordinary 0% waste to landfill. This was managed through a rigorous “4Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover) policy, with venues managing up to seven different waste streams. In a creative display of circularity, 70% of event signage and dressing was recycled or upcycled, with some materials transformed into limited-edition merchandise sold to fans.

Furthermore, 100% of stadiums were operated with renewable energy (all at least partially, with five of eight running on 100% renewables). These efforts contributed to an operational carbon footprint of 8,402 tCO2e, a 13.3% reduction on initial forecasts.

Putting People at the Heart of the Game

The “S” in ESG was centred on a mission to “put people at the heart” of the event.

This translated into the most accessible UEFA women’s tournament to date.

Audio-descriptive commentary (ADC) for blind and visually impaired fans was made available at all 31 matches, enhancing the experience for 1,217 unique users.

Accessibility was a key focus, with 1,384 accessibility tickets sold to disabled fans from 20 different countries. Their experience was supported by a team of 53 dedicated accessibility volunteers and services like wheelchair loans and sensory bags at all stadiums.

Protecting participants was a paramount concern. A landmark Human Rights Declaration was signed by UEFA, the Swiss federal government, host cities, and the Swiss FA. In a very modern initiative, an online abuse monitoring programme was launched to protect players, coaches, and referees, ultimately helping 443 individuals by identifying 1,901 potentially harmful social media posts. For any other concerns, an independent grievance mechanism was made available in 16 languages.

This people-first approach included the event’s workforce. The local organising staff (Women’s EURO 2025 SA) achieved a gender split of 59% female and 41% male.

A Legacy of Accountability

The report highlights that these achievements were not accidental but the result of robust governance and collaboration. Each of the eight venues had a dedicated sustainability manager to oversee the strategy’s implementation.

This accountability was verified, with 46 sustainability criteria audited by a third party.

UEFA also emphasised that it did not act alone, engaging five major commercial partners, SBB, Lidl, Just Eat Takeaway.com, Visa, and Heineken, in specific sustainability initiatives. This collaborative spirit was embodied by the UEFA Respect Forum 2025, which gathered over 250 stakeholders to drive progress.

The tournament was also a boon for its host nation. A significant 48.8% of the tournament budget was spent with local suppliers in Switzerland, with a total projected economic benefit of CHF 180-193 million.

For Michele Uva, the event provided a clear demonstration of concept. “From the use of public transport and upcycled materials to inclusive services and stakeholder dialogue, the tournament offered practical examples of how football can contribute to broader societal goals,” he said.

Ultimately, the ESG report serves as more than a historical record; it is a roadmap.

As Uva concluded, “The purpose of this report is to share those examples, reflect on lessons learned and support continuous improvement. It also reaffirms UEFA’s commitment to aligning with international standards, including the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”

In doing so, UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 has not only raised a trophy but also raised the bar for all major sporting events to come.