UEFA and host nation Germany are striving to make EURO 2024 the most sustainable football tournament to date. However, Transport & Environment (T&E) has pointed out that the environmental impact of the tournament could be significantly reduced if national teams chose to opt out of flying and instead travel by train or coach. Unfortunately, only three out of the 24 participating teams – Germany, Portugal, and Switzerland – have committed to making such a pledge. T&E’s analysis suggests that national teams could cut their emissions by up to 60 percent by avoiding air travel.
T&E’s Travel Smart Campaigner, Erin Vera, emphasized that while UEFA and Germany have made efforts to reduce transport emissions around the tournament, national teams have not followed suit. For example, star players like Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé could generate seven to nine times more emissions during the tournament than the average person if their teams choose to fly between matches. Mbappé’s France, for instance, could reduce its CO2 emissions by 97 percent if they opted for train or coach travel during the group stage matches in various German cities.
In an attempt to promote sustainable travel, UEFA and Germany have made arrangements to minimize the environmental impact of the tournament. Group stage matches have been strategically located close to each other to reduce travel time and emissions. Additionally, ticket holders will receive a 36-hour travel card for public transport in and around the host cities, while the Deutsche Bahn offers discounted travel for fans across the country. T&E and other climate groups have been urging national teams to commit to more sustainable travel practices, with Germany, Portugal, and Switzerland making initial pledges to reduce their emissions by avoiding air travel during the tournament.
As the tournament approaches, the spotlight is on the national teams to lead by example and prioritize sustainability when it comes to travel. By choosing train or coach travel over flying, teams could significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a greener EURO 2024. With only three teams committing to sustainable travel so far, there is still room for improvement and potential for other teams to follow suit. As fans across Europe eagerly await the football extravaganza, the focus on sustainable practices and environmental impact will continue to be a key aspect of EURO 2024.
