Mathieu Flamini, elite footballer turned biochemical entrepreneur, believes football can play its part in averting environmental catastrophes. Football? The sport of private jets, fast cars, air-miles-busting transcontinental tournaments and petrodollar-funded club ownership?
Yes, the global sport. Flamini is a partner in GFBiochemicals, a leader in sustainable alternatives to oil-based products. The former Arsenal midfielder eats once a day and is a frontman for an interesting initiative called Green Football Weekend (GFW).
Green Football Weekend increasing climate literacy
GFW is a prominent football campaign focused on changing attitudes and tackling climate change. This year’s event ran from February 2 through February 5, although fans have had the opportunity to score green goals through their climate-friendly actions since January 18.
Green goals can be as simple as walking instead of driving if the journey is less than two miles or eating a vegetarian meal. They are recorded in real time and after the Weekend wraps up, the English club whose fans have taken the most eco-friendly actions win GFW.
Green Football Weekend is mobilising players, clubs, fans and broadcasters in an effort to increase climate literacy, create meaningful action and unleash the power of football to help protect the planet from the brutal ongoing effects of climate change.
Encouraging football fans to do more for the planet
This year’s focus was on food. Players and clubs came together to create the GFW Veggie Cookbook, offering fans a simple way to eat like their favourite players. Organisers also had their focus on increasing the amount of veggie options on the matchday menus.
The recently concluded event built on last year’s successes and achievements, that reached more than 30 million people with climate messages. The competition increased awareness among fans about the seriousness of climate change, and encouraged them to do more.
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