Overview
Amy James-Turner, a player for Tottenham Hotspur Women’s team, and Planet League, a sustainability-focused organisation, were awarded the Feature of the Year at the BASIS Awards for their pioneering report titled “Women’s Football and Climate Change: The Players’ Perspective.” This report, the first of its kind, brought together the voices of over 110 professional footballers from 36 different clubs to raise awareness about the urgent issue of climate change and its impact on football. Judges praised the report for its groundbreaking nature, unprecedented scale, and ability to amplify player concerns through powerful media partnerships that reached hundreds of thousands of people.
What is the “Women’s Football and Climate Change” Report?
The report was created to address the growing need for the sports sector, particularly women’s football, to take a more active role in addressing environmental sustainability. Amy James-Turner conducted interviews with 13 professional players, and Planet League surveyed over 110 footballers, representing an extraordinary effort to document the perspectives of female athletes on climate change. The initiative highlights the power and responsibility of footballers and the football industry to champion climate action and sets out practical steps for reducing the environmental footprint of the sport.
The initiative aligns with BASIS principles of Accessibility and Equality, Healthy Options, Engagement and Education, and Procurement and Employment, showing a commitment to not only environmental responsibility but also the role of sports in leading broader societal change.
Why This Report Stood Out
- Groundbreaking Scale and Scope The report is the first to collate the views of professional women footballers on climate change at such a scale, globally or in the UK. The collaboration between Amy James-Turner and Planet League engaged players from across 36 clubs, uncovering profound concerns about the impact of climate change on both football and society. This level of engagement has never been seen before in the sport, making it a landmark moment in the intersection of sports and environmental advocacy.
- Key Findings The report uncovered four critical insights:
- High Concern: A significant majority of players expressed concern about climate change, with over two-thirds agreeing that it is already affecting football. This includes the impact of extreme weather on playing conditions.
- Industry Responsibility: The football industry was seen as having a responsibility to take the lead on climate action, with players calling for clubs and leagues to leverage their platforms for greater environmental stewardship.
- Player Influence: 96% of players surveyed felt that they personally have a role to play in championing climate action within their communities and among their fans.
- Educational Needs: Players expressed a need for more support and education from their clubs, with only 19% saying that their current efforts on sustainability were adequate.
- Sustainable Impact The report has catalysed meaningful discussions within the football industry. By bringing players’ voices to the forefront, it has highlighted the untapped potential of athletes to act as environmental advocates. The findings not only document concerns but also suggest practical steps that clubs and players can take, such as reducing single-use plastics and improving sustainability literacy. This collective voice from over 110 professional players lends significant weight to the call for action, making it a transformative contribution to the sports sector’s sustainability efforts.
Moreover, the report has helped raise awareness of climate change’s immediate effects on sport, such as disruptions to playing schedules and deteriorating field conditions due to extreme weather events. The report has also served as a catalyst for discussions on sustainability education within clubs, reinforcing the idea that environmental literacy is essential to fostering a culture of responsibility in football. - Strategic Media Partnerships To ensure the report’s findings reached a broad audience, Amy and Planet League worked with Sky Sports, BBC World Service, talkSport, and other media outlets. In partnership with David Garrido’s “Playing for the Planet” series on Sky Sports, the report was featured in a unique 10-minute segment that aired nine times on launch day, significantly amplifying the message. Further coverage on platforms like BBC Sportshour, The Guardian, and Forbes helped drive the conversation forward, reaching sports fans and the general public alike.
The media strategy was instrumental in the report’s success, ensuring that the findings were not only read but also heard and discussed on a global scale, positioning women’s football as a leading voice in the sports sector’s sustainability movement.
Positive Impact on Sport
The report’s publication marks a watershed moment for the sports sector by bringing together a large cohort of professional footballers to speak out about climate change. It moves beyond individual calls to action, showing the collective concern and influence of professional athletes in women’s football. This collective voice empowers others in the sports community to raise awareness and take action on environmental issues, demonstrating that athletes can be pivotal advocates for sustainability.
The report’s impact on sport goes beyond awareness—it shows the power of conversation and collaboration. By providing professional players with a platform to express their views, it has fostered a greater sense of agency within the sports community. Players can see that they are not alone in their concerns, and this solidarity is essential in driving meaningful change.
Additionally, the report has sparked broader discussions within the sports sector, with key figures such as Chris Boardman CBE, Chair of Sport England, and Maheta Molango, CEO of the Professional Footballers Association, endorsing the findings. These endorsements underscore the importance of the report in shaping future sustainability efforts within football and beyond.
Media and Industry Influence
The media coverage for the report extended its reach far beyond the world of women’s football. The launch on Sky Sports and coverage in top-tier outlets like BBC World Service, The Guardian, and Forbes ensured that the report’s message resonated with a global audience. The involvement of high-profile media personalities and platforms elevated the conversation, placing the issue of climate change in football squarely on the agenda of sports fans, clubs, and governing bodies.
Amy James-Turner’s participation in UEFA events and her invitation to present the report’s findings to the UN Sports for Climate Action signatories demonstrate the report’s influence within the highest echelons of international sport. These presentations have positioned women’s football as a leader in the global conversation on climate change, proving that the sport can play a crucial role in driving environmental responsibility.
Conclusion
The “Women’s Football and Climate Change: The Players’ Perspective” report is a trailblazing contribution to sustainability in sport. Amy James-Turner, with the support of Planet League, has given a collective voice to over 110 professional women footballers, providing a platform for them to express their concerns about climate change and their desire for the football industry to take action.
The report’s impact goes far beyond women’s football. It has sparked conversations across the entire sports sector about the role of athletes and clubs in addressing environmental issues. By raising awareness, influencing key stakeholders, and driving media coverage, the report sets a new standard for how sports can engage with sustainability and inspire broader societal change.
This initiative shows that footballers, clubs, and leagues have a unique and powerful platform to promote environmental stewardship—and that their voices, when united, can be a transformative force for good.
