Report: Women Football Players Reveal Concern About Climate Change

A new report reveals women footballers are very concerned about climate change. Amy James-Turner of Tottenham Hotspur Women has joined forces with Planet League to survey 113 professional women football players from 36 clubs in the Women’s Super League in U.K., National Women’s Soccer League in U.S., Serie A Femminile in Italy and more, to explore their perspectives on environmental concerns.

Seventy-one per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that playing conditions have affected by climate change during their career, from flooded pitches, wildfires and tropical downpours. Former Arsenal forward Jodie Taylor recounted an example of this to David Garrido of Sky Sports, “I’ll never forget when I was in Seattle and there was really bad air pollution. The orange sky, it was crazy conditions to be playing in. You’re driving to the game and you can barely see. The government put out messages for everyone to stay home and not exercise outside, and there’s us driving to matches.”

85 per cent believe the football community working together can be effective or very effective in the fight against climate change. How that manifests divided opinion in respondents when looking at the likes of taking sponsorship money from fossil fuel companies and flying to domestic games.

An even higher percentage of respondents, 95 per cent, believe the football industry should actively reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. Ideas to reduce this impact ranged from moving away from single use plastic bottles and the amount of items provided to players, to regulating how many flights are made a year, per player.

Respondents believe it’s not just the football industry that should be taking action, women players are conscious of their own influence and responsibility for showing leadership on climate, with 96 per cent agreeing or strongly agreeing that they can use their influence to tackle climate change.

Maheta Molango, CEO of the Professional Footballers Association said: “More and more players want to talk about how they respond as individuals, but also how they can use their position to drive change in their clubs and communities. Big issues like this can feel overwhelming, and they need people to stand up and take a lead. Amy’s report is a fantastic example of that and is something that will help more players engage with this conversation, within and beyond the game.”

85 per cent believe professional footballers should lead by example in adopting sustainable lifestyles both on and off the pitch, but this view is balanced by the reality that playing at the top of your game means travel demands and a high personal carbon footprint.

James-Turner closing comments in the report reveal what she believes is the potential of women’s football in this area, “There are so many amazing role models in women’s football, players who have done so much for the game and who will always continue to demand more. I really believe that women’s football can be the leaders of change in taking climate action.”