Hoffenheim on tree-planting mission in Uganda

(EurActiv, 6 Jan 2020) Football club 1899 Hoffenheim is planting trees in Uganda to help protect the environment. In the past, sustainability in football meant switching off the stadium lights in the evening, but many clubs are now breaking new ground.

“Sports can and should assume its social responsibility in combatting climate change.” For Stefan Wagner, who is responsible for business development for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, everyone must play a role in mitigating their climate impact – also in the football industry – a realm that, until quite recently, has not been associated with climate protection.

2019 marked a turning point for TSG Hoffenheim. With climate change dominating the news, the club announced its intentions to become climate neutral in August. Since the start of the season, TSG has been “consistently climate neutral and offsetting all unavoidable emissions,” the club declared in a press release. 

However, while many teams look to offset their carbon emissions by purchasing certificates or generating electricity from solar panels on their stadium roofs, TSG are a little more creative in their approach.

Planting trees in Uganda

Within the framework of the Alliance for Development and Climate, an initiative started by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the club is partnering with local farmers in Uganda to help plan trees in the Kikonda Forest through the purchase of reforestation certificates.

This initiative has already neutralised 3,000 tonnes of CO2 since the start of the season.

As of October, TSG fans can also participate in the initiative. For all matches in the club’s PreZero Arena, fans can purchase a so-called ‘Climate Ticket.’ The ticket offers fans the option to pay an additional charge to fund the project. Each additional euro donated via the Climate-Ticket plants one tree in Uganda. 

External link

EurActiv, 6 Jan 2020: Hoffenheim on tree-planting mission in Uganda