The ACCESS project appears at COP29 in Baku as FC Porto takes the floor
Saturday, 16 November, saw FC Porto participating in the creation of an international alliance of football clubs for climate action, driven by Azerbaijani three-time champions Qarabag and the European Clubs Association (ECA), with the support of the COP29 presidency in Baku.
Teresa Santos, FC Porto’s Sustainability Manager, took the floor to reaffirm the club’s commitment to sustainability, recognising it as a central responsibility and a unique opportunity to lead by example. And the examples are many: one of the strategic actions was the partnership established in April 2023 with Greenvolt, aimed at developing two renewable energy communities – one in the eastern part of the city of Porto (Dragão Arena and Campanhã Pool) and another at the PortoGaia Training and Sports Development Centre in Olival. Additionally, the partnership includes providing a charging solution for electric vehicles. Optimising resource management and the active involvement of partners and fans in more sustainable practices are other paths outlined, with the goal of achieving a “positive and lasting environmental impact.” These strategic partnerships and extending FC Porto’s environmental strategy to their local communities, as well as embedding the city of Porto’s targets and objectives in terms of climate neutrality into the club’s environmental strategy are perfect examples of what the ACCESS project is about and what it strives for in its workplan and objectives.
Speaking about the ACCESS project, Teresa Santos took the opportunity to highlight the efforts and approach adopted by the initiative. The FA of Wales, FC Porto, the Danish FA, and the GAA have been working successfully on improving their environmental performances through extensive partnerships with their local public and private stakeholders.
Teresa Santos, Sustainability Manager, FC Porto
“We have set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, reflecting our determination to tackle environmental challenges with concrete and transformative actions. To achieve this goal, we are developing our roadmap for decarbonisation.”
While emphasising these objectives, she also reminded the audience that FC Porto has committed to joining the United Nations Sports Climate Action Framework. The newly created “Alliance of Football Clubs for Climate,” launched at COP29, brings hope for even more active involvement of the club’s partners and supporters in sustainable practices, she added. The new initiative includes Qarabag, Spanish clubs Atlético de Madrid and Betis, English teams Liverpool and Tottenham, Italian club Udinese, Turkish giants Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray, Swedish side Malmö, and Brazilian club Palmeiras.
Teresa Santos
“We are convinced that the future of sport and the preservation of the planet are intrinsically linked. Together, with partners and fans, we will turn climate challenges into opportunities for innovation and resilience, leaving a legacy of environmental responsibility and positive social impact for future generations.”