Real Betis Balompié Unveils Life Cycle Assessment
Real Betis Balompié, in collaboration with the FREE KICKS* project co-funded by the European Union, has unveiled a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) report analysing the environmental impact of a single football match based on data collected during their 2018-19 season. The Real Betis Balompié LCA report exemplifies how football organisations can understand and reduce their environmental footprint. As a key deliverable of the FREE KICKS, this report represents a significant milestone in the project’s mission to promote circular economy and environmental sustainability within football organisations.
What is a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
An LCA is a comprehensive tool used to assess the environmental impact of a product, service, or system throughout its entire lifecycle.
How can an LCA be applied to a football club and their matches?
Real Betis Balompié’s LCA explores the environmental footprint of a single match, considering contributing factors such as:
- Supporter mobility to and from matches
- Energy consumption by Benito Villamarín Stadium and surrounding facilities
- Food and beverage consumption and waste during matches
How is an environment footprint different to a carbon footprint?
We often hear sports organisations undertaking carbon footprinting efforts, but there are other elements considered in an environmental footprint. The largest impacts are generally things like mobility, energy and food – which falls under the ‘climate change’ impact category of an LCA. However, there are other environmental impacts too, such as fossils, minerals and metals resource use, particulate matter and acidification. These can also be substantial and should be considered.
Benefits of an LCA for Football Organisations
By pinpointing these environmental “hotspots”, the LCA allows Real Betis Balompié to identify areas for targeted improvements in sustainability practices. This knowledge and awareness allows for:
- A reduction of the overall environmental impact of matches.
- Opportunities to increase circularity practises throughout the club’s operations
Click here to read Real Betis Balompié’s Life Cycle Assessment Information and Report.
To see LCA’s for other FREE KICKS partners click the club name below:
* Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
