Register for free and continue reading
Join our growing army of changemakers and get unlimited access to our premium content
An all-electric e-NV200 van will transport the UEFA Champions League trophy to a fan festival at Duomo di Milano today (26 May) where it will remain until Saturday’s match (28 May), when a unique Nissan LEAF will take the trophy to the San Siro stadium as part of the UEFA Trophy Parade.
Nissan Europe director of EVs Gareth Dunsmore said: “The final in Milan this weekend marks the climax of another exciting year partnering with the UEFA Champions League – the most prestigious football tournament in the world. We began this journey last season and we were delighted to provide electric vehicles and charging points in Berlin, a journey we look to continue at the final this year in Milan.
“The great relationship we have with UEFA means we have been able to provide something long lasting and positive to both cities during our first two seasons as a sponsor of the UEFA Champions League.
“Poor air quality and increasing greenhouse gas emissions are very real challenges facing cities all over the world, including Milan. Zero emission vehicles provide a tangible solution to these challenges, and the fast charge stations built by Nissan in Milan will be decisive regarding the take up of all-electric mobility and will be left behind after the final for the public.”
Sustainable soccer
UEFA has committed to developing an innovative and pragmatic approach to reduce the environmental impact of its operations, including at the upcoming Euro 2016 tournament. The organisation has worked with the Climate Friendly organisation to develop the UEFA Euro 2016 Eco-Calculator, enabling fans travelling to France to explore how their journey to the tournament contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The football governing body has recorded an impressive set of sustainability achievements in the past year, offsetting 24,648 tonnes of carbon emissions from 59,627 flights taken by UEFA staff and referees during 2014/15, bringing the total emissions reductions in a six-year partnership with Climate Friendly to 133,293 tonnes.
The San Siro stadium hosting the Champions League Final has recently progressed towards a sustainable future, with electricity consumption in 2015 down to 5,609,069Kwh from a 2014 level of 6,094,278Kwh. Electricity reduction has been assisted by lighting in the freshly rebuilt changing rooms and stands being replaced by new LED lights.
San Siro tenants AC Milan recently unveiled tentative plans for a new 48,000-seat stadium with rooftop gardens and a retractable roof to open for the 2018-19 season.
Here are the first pics of the “New AC Milan Stadium” in the Portello-Fiera Milano City area, Pavilions 1 and 2 ©ARUP pic.twitter.com/MmTheEYbx4
— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 4, 2015
The architect Emilio Faroldi said at the time: “We approached the project developing the basic themes of this work: we are talking about environmental sustainability, the concept of a smart urban arena that is easily reached by public transport, and it is low impact.”
Sustainable shootout
AC Milan’s new stadium announcement is the latest in a trend of sustainable initiatives entering the fiercely competitive footballing sphere. While not quite as glamourous as the Champions the League, the Football League announced a new partnership with Liftshare.com to encourage fans to travel to games as efficiently as possible.
Elsewhere, Scotland’s national football stadium has reduced its water consumption by 35% by installing monitoring equipment for water usage; while Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini recently revealed an eight year secret plan that has seen him set up a market-leading biofuel technology firm in a sector worth up to £20bn.
George Ogleby
Please login or Register to leave a comment.