Global Fútbol

Atlético Madrid have been promoting environmentally friendly behaviour for several years and the club have put their words into action through a variety of initiatives. The latest example of this is a three-year agreement for Capital Energy to supply Atlético Madrid facilities with 9.5 GWh of renewable power annually, which will save an estimated 3,800 tonnes of Co2 emissions.

Capital Energy, a Spanish company that has been working in the renewable energy field since 2002, became Atlético Madrid’s official renewable energy sponsor ahead of the 2021/22 season and now the club has agreed for green power to be provided to installations such as the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, club stores and the sporting complexes in Majadahonda and Alcalá de Henares.

Discussing this pioneering move towards sustainable energy consumption inside football facilities, Pablo Lago, the club’s director of corporate social responsibility, said: “Atlético Madrid have worked on measures to promote sustainable development for many years. In 2018, the club decided to take another step forward and to establish an unwavering commitment to sustainable development through the first strategic corporate social responsibility plan, which made this the first club in LaLiga to prepare such a thing.”

Already, Atlético Madrid have made great strides in their mission to become an institution renowned for its backing of the environment, through steps including the calculation and reduction of the club’s carbon footprint, responsible water management, energy efficiency projects, a circular economy programme, lamps to absorb greenhouse gases and a programme of sustainable events.

On these efforts, Lago added: “Achieving the objectives of our plan, through the specific sustainability initiatives carried out these past few years, has positioned the club as a reference within LaLiga for responsible behaviour and sustainability. Our commitment to sustainability doesn’t stop at the environmental level, as it also encompasses our social and economic areas, as well as playing a role in good governance. This strategy is centred on the sustainable development goals set out in the 2030 Agenda, objectives which consider governance and social impact, both for the people who form part of the club as well as for the society the club is part of.”

Now, Atlético Madrid will work closely with Capital Energy to consolidate the club’s position as a leader in the efforts to make sport more sustainable. Capital Energy’s logo will appear as the main sponsor on the men’s first team and academy training kits, while the company will also appear on advertising displays at Atlético Madrid home matches.

Speaking about this alliance, Capital Energy’s CEO Juan José Sánchez stated: “We begin an adventure alongside a football club that perfectly represents our values: teamwork, perseverance, a spirit of sacrifice and a commitment to achieve long-term ambitious goals, match by match. A club that, like us, is committed to sustainability, digitalisation and innovation.”

Atlético Madrid share this enthusiasm, as explained by Manuel Cifuentes, the club’s director of infrastructure and general services. He said: “In this way, Atlético Madrid are committed to contributing to the global decarbonisation from business activity and the reduction of emissions. We are purposefully backing the transition towards green energy and we are selecting renewable energy as a vehicle for achieving this objective, as shown by this agreement signed with Capital Energy.”

At other clubs in LaLiga, there are similar efforts to build towards a more sustainable future. For example, Real Betis have launched their ‘Forever Green’ sustainability platform for companies to collaborate on environmentally friendly projects, Athletic Club have planted trees and bushes in the Basque Country as part of a Co2 offsetting campaign and Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad have launched important recycling initiatives at their club facilities.

At Atlético Madrid, there is a clear understanding of this power and responsibility that football clubs have in the mission to protect the planet. As a club, they firmly believe that: “We must make the most of the global impact football has to educate society on such issues. All entities involved in football should work together to ensure the message about a more sustainable world reaches football fans in a clear way, along with plans for concrete action. This is our objective.”