RFEF and UEFA to work for a sustainable EUROs
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is set to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability at this European Championships by joining forces with UEFA with the policies that aim to ensure that this competition is as green and inclusive as possible.
To this end, plastic consumption will be reduced to a minimum at the Spanish team's base camp, where water fountains have been installed and personalised reusable bottles have been distributed among the squad, technical staff as well as to journalists covering the event. In addition, the accreditation badges have been made without plastic and from recyclable material, as well as the lanyards, which are also made from recycled bottles.
Likewise, waste separation centres have been set up in the area; a special enclosed sustainable rest area has been set up and healthy food is being offered daily in the media centre, with fruit and other healthy food.
In addition, an agreement has been reached with the hotel where the Spain squad is staying to avoid wasting food, so that surplus products will be donated to social organisations in the area.
With regards to transport, the proximity of the training ground and the media centre to the hotel encourages walking, promoting healthy habits; however, bicycles are also available to all staff. Finally, the tarpaulins and materials used in the media centre will be recycled and converted into second-hand items.
These measures are in addition to the existence of a DAO (Disability Access Officer) that the RFEF will make available to all fans with disabilities attending Spanish national team matches and which will be coordinated with UEFA at all matches.
The Department of Equality, Social Responsibility and Sustainability is working directly with UEFA on these matters for the European Championships, taking into account the significant commitment made by the European body to these policies during the competition. In total, 32 million euros will be invested to ensure that this European Championships is the most sustainable in history.
UEFA measures
In this regard, UEFA will make available to all fans a descriptive narration service for the visually impaired, which can be downloaded from the official Euro 2024 app. As such, UEFA is aligning itself with the RFEF, which narrates all the matches of the senior mens’ and womens’ national teams through the RFEF narration app for the visually impaired.
All the stadiums where the Spanish national team play will also have an accessibility information point to provide fans with any information they need. In addition, wheelchair users will have a priority access lane and there will be sustainability volunteers to assist them, if necessary. Specific seats have also been reserved in each stadium for fans with guide or assistance dogs.
When it comes to fans' travel, the most convenient way to get around on match day will be by public transport and all match ticket holders are entitled to a 36-hour free travel pass on the public transport network. In addition, there are discounts on Deutsche Bahn trains and international rail passes for travel within Germany and between the host cities.
With regard to human rights, UEFA has set up a complaint and rapid response system for if fans feel harassed, discriminated against or vulnerable. There is the possibility to contact the team that will deal with these situations by scanning a QR code that will be signposted at different points in the stadiums.
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