April 22 marked Earth Day, a reminder of the urgent need to protect life and restore the damage done to our ecosystems. Far from being a symbolic day, it is an ongoing commitment expressed in the UN Global Agenda, specifically SDGs 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 (from clean energy to life on land and at sea).
Environmental sustainability is about survival as much as it is about stability. Healthier ecosystems ensure equitable access to natural resources, economic resilience and security. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, “Sustainable peace requires sustainable development.”
Moreover, the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) and their Ecological Threat Report show how ecological risks and climate stress reshape security landscapes at national, regional and international levels. It also points that in order to achieve social stability and global security, we must shift to a more sustainable model that builds social justice and economic resilience for everyone.
This is a collective responsibility where everyone plays a part, including football.
Football plays a unique role in protecting the ‘home field.’ A prime example of this is Bradford City AFC, honoured with the EFL Environmental Club Award on April 19.
This recognition follows a consistent upward trajectory of the club’s sustainable efforts and initiatives, building on their three-year “Greener Bantams” strategy focused on Energy & Carbon Reduction, Reducing Waste & Improving Recycling, and Sustainable Matchdays.
Last year, the club was already awarded Silver in the EFL’s Green Clubs Scheme, largely due to installing 500 solar panels at the stadium and switching to 100% recycled materials for their kits.
This season, they took the top prize by delivering new projects: providing old training kit to Bradford College Fashion Students to turn into upcycled fashion garments; donating kits for Academy players, families and local communities; hosting a Sustainability themed Business Club event for 120 local businesspeople in January 2026; and hosting a sustainability-themed matchday in February 2026 to engage fans on travel and biodiversity
Adam Keizer, Sustainability Officer at Bradford City, said: “Really proud to receive this award on behalf of the Football Club. It’s recognition for a lot of hard work over the last few years from a lot of people behind the scenes, so really pleased. [...] but what’s really exciting is our ability to share that with other people and hopefully inspire others.”
It is indeed inspiring. A month ago, Adam presented alongside our team at the University of Bradford and highlighted a crucial shift in mindset for the success of their strategy: instead of a reactionary requirement, sustainability should be viewed as a commercial and operational opportunity.
By integrating sustainability directly into the club’s DNA and driving policy innovation, Bradford City has become a Partner for the Goals (SDG 17) and created a replicable model, proving that football can lead the way in environmental, economic and social resilience.
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