As EFC’s Chief Executive Officer, Charlie Marshall, put it clearly in the report: “Sustainability is no longer an option. I think it’s essential for the future of our clubs and also for the future of the football in general.” This sentiment underpins a comprehensive strategy that is already turning ambitious rhetoric into practical, measurable outcomes, demonstrating that football’s biggest impact often lies off the grass.

Marshall continued: “We want to show how football clubs can lead the way in making our sport more sustainable… we help our members by sharing best practices and real-life examples from football to other areas.”

A Governance Model Built for Accountability

The new EFC Sustainability Strategy is structured around three core pillars: establishing EFC as the club voice in sustainability at the political level; empowering member clubs with practical tools; and enhancing EFC’s own internal operations. This structured approach, which includes the establishment of a dedicated Sustainability Working Group (SWG), is proving highly effective. According to the report’s implementation status, EFC achieved 74% of its short-term objectives by June 2025.

The work of the SWG, chaired by Malmö FF CEO Niclas Carlnén, was central to this progress. Reflecting on the journey from initial discussions to a published strategy, Carlnén expressed a sense of collective pride: “Since our first meeting in 2022, we’ve built strong collaboration between clubs, UEFA and partners, and created a sustainability strategy presented in April 2024. As I step down, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and confident as Gaia leads the next phase of evaluation and progress.”

Key to future compliance is the establishment of a CSRD Task Force and the completion of a Double Materiality Assessment (DMA), ensuring clubs are prepared for the EU’s evolving transparency demands.

The Climate Frontline: Carbon and Coalition

EFC has stepped up its commitment to climate action, committing to an ambitious target of a 30\% emissions reduction per member by 2030, benchmarked against the 2023/24 season. Leading by example, EFC measured its own carbon footprint, finding business travel was responsible for 98\% of Scope 3 emissions. In response, the organisation has committed to offsetting 100\% of its unavoidable emissions through the purchase of Gold Standard carbon credits, while also investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Certificates to address the carbon intensity of staff travel.

The most visible climate achievement was the launch of the Football Clubs Alliance for Climate at COP29 in Baku in November 2024. This landmark event saw 11 initial signatories, including Liverpool FC, Tottenham Hotspur, and Qarabağ FK, commit to collaborating and advocating for urgent climate action. This global platform demonstrates how the power of club football can be harnessed to drive environmental leadership, a goal

EFC CEO Charlie Marshall noted: “Football can and must be a driver of real climate action. We are proud to unite clubs behind a shared vision for sustainability… EFC acknowledges our responsibility to play an active role in combating the climate crisis.”

Pitching for Inclusion: Gender and Youth

Social responsibility is a significant element of the strategy, with a focus on improving Equality and Inclusion (E&I) and strengthening Child and Youth Protection. EFC has set firm targets to achieve 35\% female representation on its Board by 2030. Significant progress has already been made, with female Board representation rising from 18\% to 23\% in the last year.

This progress is directly attributed to initiatives like the Women on Board Programme, developed to equip female staff with the skills and networking opportunities needed for leadership roles.

Speaking during the presentation, Gaia Pretner, Head of Sustainability for EFC, noted the success of this initiative is tangible: “Working groups are the entry point to board leadership, which is why we’ve set ambitious targets of 40% female representation by 2027 and 50% by 2030. We’re already seeing progress, two new board members came through our Women on Board programme, proof that investment in women truly works.”

EFC is also prioritising child protection, running training and webinars to ensure members meet mandatory UEFA licensing requirements, reinforcing a culture of safety across all academy levels.

From Circularity to Community Outreach

Beyond high-level governance and climate advocacy, EFC is driving practical, on-the-ground change. This includes spearheading the FREE KICKS project, an EU-funded initiative focused on the circular economy. The project, involving members like FC Porto, Malmö FF, and Real Betis, aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainability management systems and achieve EMAS certification, setting a new bar for eco-management in venues.

Overall, the EFC’s inaugural report confirms that the future of the game will be judged on more than match results. From empowering women in the boardroom to offsetting business flights and fighting microplastic pollution (as seen in VfL Wolfsburg’s award-winning case study), European club football is embracing sustainability as a collective duty. The challenge now is to sustain this momentum and ensure that 100\% of objectives are met in the coming cycle.

Marshall conclude in the report that: “Together, we can ensure football grows in a way that leaves a positive legacy for future generations.”