2024

Sustainability

Journal year: 2024 | Journal volume: vol. 16 | Journal number: iss. 11

scientific article

english

EN Problem: Participating in professional sport involves constant travel. From a review of the literature, the issue of transport in sport (passenger transport) in generating a carbon footprint has already been noted. A reliable assessment of the scale of this phenomenon is currently underway. The aim of this article is to assess the carbon footprint of transporting football players to away matches. It is complemented by a proposal to change the way matches are played using the Sports Centre concept. Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out in the theoretical part. The research part was conducted based on EN 16258 and the centre of gravity method. The objects of this study are five selected football clubs from the Polish Ekstraklasa, and their method of travel (by coach) to away matches. Results: The use of alternative (low-carbon) modes of transport reduces GHG levels from 13 per cent (Pogo´n Szczecin) to 34 per cent (Jagiellonia Białystok). An interesting solution, although not yet adapted to the current times, is the implementation of the Sports Centre concept, which allows a 48 per cent reduction in the distance travelled (81,940 kgCO2e per year). Conclusions: Football clubs can neutralise their remaining carbon footprint through investments that indirectly contribute to total carbon neutrality, such as the planting of oxygen trees or the installation of a photovoltaic system to completely neutralise the carbon footprint.

01.06.2024

4721-1 - 4721-12

10.3390/su16114721

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/11/4721

Article number: 4721

CC BY (attribution alone)

open journal

final published version

01.06.2024

at the time of publication

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