Sustainability in Sports
Sport is one of Europe’s most powerful cultural forces; uniting billions of fans, driving billions in economic activity, and shaping the values of a generation. Yet sport also carries a substantial environmental footprint — from the carbon cost of elite travel and stadium operations to the impact of major tournaments on host cities and ecosystems. Sustainability in Sports brings together elite athletes, club executives, governing bodies, sponsors, innovators and policymakers to explore how sport can lead by example; cutting emissions, inspiring fans and harnessing its extraordinary reach to accelerate climate action across Europe and beyond.
Confirmed Speakers
Shaun Akse
Programme Manager, Impact & CSR
AFC Ajax
Matthew Campelli
Managing Director
Touchline Earth
Joanna Czutkowna
CEO
5Thread
Pelle de Laaf
Head of Financing and Reporting
Johan Cruijff ArenA
Stuart Dykes
Director of European & Institutional Affairs
Football Supporters Europe (FSE)
Jana Janotova
Senior Programme Coordinator – Sports for Nature
IUCN
Natasha Kalauz
CEO
POW Europe
Yvonne Lang
Sustainability Consultant & Programmamaker
CirclNL
Vincent Reulet
Senior Environmental Impact Expert
UEFA
Seppe Smits
2x World Champion Belgian Snowboarder
POW Athlete
Morten Thorsby
Professional Footballer, Genoa FC and Founder
We Play Green
Dirk van den Berg
Managing Director
Protect Our Winters (POW) Benelux
Filippo Veglio
Chief of Social & Environmental Sustainability
UEFA
Geoff Webb
Chief Executive
Grounds Management Association (GMA)
Kevin Wekesa
Kenyan Rugby Sevens Professional and Founder
Play Green
Sarah Wilkin
Founder & CEO
Fly Green Alliance
Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu
Sectoral Initiatives Lead
UNFCCC
MEP Bogdan Zdrojewski
(EPP), Vice-Chair, CULT Committee and Rapporteur on the European Sport Model
European Parliament
Partners
Agenda
10:00am – 10:05amWelcome and Setting the Scene
Host WelcomeLoading…
10:05am – 10:40amOpening Keynotes
Keynote AddressesKeynote Presentations
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Keynote Fireside Chat
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10:40am – 11:15amKeeping Sport Playable: Climate Risk & Adaptation
Data-Led Opener & Moderated DiscussionLoading…
11:15am – 11:45amNetworking Break
11:45am – 12:20pmPlaying the Long Game: Governing Bodies & the Net Zero Commitment
Moderator
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Case Presentations
Case-Study ShowcaseLoading…
Reflection
Moderated Reflection12:20pm – 1:00pmHome Advantage: Clubs, Cities & the Local Climate Opportunity
Fireside Chat, Case Presentation & Audience Q&AFireside Chat: City and Club Relationship
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Case Presentations: Sustainable Stadium Innovation
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1:00pm – 2:00pmNetworking Lunch
2:00pm – 2:15pmAfternoon Keynote: Sport as a Platform for Climate Action
Athlete KeynotesLoading…
2:15pm – 3:00pmMoving the Needle: Fan Engagement, Behaviour Change & the Power of Sport
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3:00pm – 3:25pmNetworking Break
3:40pm – 4:25pmFootball’s Climate Paradox
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4:25pm – 4:30pmClosing Reflections: A Shared Playbook for Sport
Closing Address by the ChairLoading…