Within the framework of the 29th Session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Baku, an event was held to establish a global alliance of renowned football clubs to combat climate change. This initiative was spearheaded by the Qarabag team.
According to Idman.biz, citing AZƏRTAC, the event, titled "Football for Climate," was moderated by David Garrido, a well-known sports commentator for Sky Sports. Several prominent football clubs presented their commitments to tackling climate change, showcasing their dedication to this global issue.
Farid Gayibov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sports, recalled the country's successful hosting of major international events, such as the European and Islamic Solidarity Games, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the UEFA Europa League Final in 2019 between Chelsea and Arsenal, emphasizing Baku's growing role as a sports hub. He also highlighted the significance of football's involvement in such an important climate conference, with over 4 billion football fans worldwide.
COP29’s lead speaker, Yalchin Rafiev, expressed gratitude to Qarabag for leading this unprecedented initiative and thanked the European Club Association (ECA) for their support. He stressed that this alliance would contribute to solving one of the world’s most pressing problems: climate change.
Qarabag president Tahir Gozel expressed pride in the participation of some of the world’s most influential football clubs in this initiative, underlining the importance of leveraging football’s popularity in the fight against climate change.
Following the presentations, a joint alliance of football clubs was formed to address climate change. Along with Qarabag, ten other clubs—Liverpool, Tottenham, Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Udinese, Porto, Flamengo, and Malmö—joined the alliance. These clubs, known for their sensitivity to climate issues and sustainability efforts, signed a document formalizing the alliance.
The alliance's founding clubs have committed to promoting sustainable practices, raising awareness, and collaborating with relevant organizations, including the UNFCCC's "Sport for Climate Action" initiative, to combat climate change.
The alliance was established with the support of the COP29 Presidency and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), jointly organized by Qarabag and the European Club Association (ECA).
Idman.biz
