Football For Future launch Climate Champion Handbook for Nike athletes

Environmental football non-profit Football For Future have partnered with Nike to create a new Climate Champion Handbook for Nike athletes, educating them on climate change and its relationship with football.

The first player to be given the Climate Champion Handbook is Women's Euro 2022 winner Lotte Wubben-Moy, with Kai Havertz, Jessie Fleming, Magdalena Eriksson and Eric Dier also set to receive it.

The handbook explains the fundamentals of climate change, the interrelationship between climate change, sustainability and football, what Football For Future is doing to tackle climate change, how Nike is mitigating environmental impact, and how Nike athletes can make a difference.

As highlighted in the handbook, the relationship between climate change and the beautiful game is explicit with quarter of professional clubs in England potentially being flooded on a regular basis by 2050. In the Premier League this includes Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, West Ham’s London Stadium and Southampton's St. Mary’s Stadium. In the Championship Hull and Cardiff are at risk.

The recipients of the Climate Champion Handbook have received it as part of a toolkit, which also includes a limited-edition and upcycled-by-hand Football For Future x Nike football shirt, featuring patches designed by ILOVEDUST. 

Speaking about the climate crisis, Climate Champion Wubben-Moy said:

“The climate crisis is now and it’s not something we can avoid. If football is going to have a future, the sport needs to use its relations with the world’s biggest brands and companies to ensure they do their part.

"Sponsors have a responsibility to educate their athletes on the interrelationship between football and climate change - and Nike partnering with Football For Future to produce this handbook is a step in the right direction.”

FFF founder Elliot Arthur-Worsop expressed his delight at working with the Euro 2022 winner in order to spotlight the climate crisis in football:

“We’re delighted to work with Lotte and Nike on this pioneering project to activate athletes in the climate space. There is such exciting potential if we can support players and brands to use their platforms to educate their followers about important issues and redefine the climate conversation for new audiences.

"There is a long way to go - but this is a good first step.”

Football For Future have also recently released a short film called 'Play On' about football's struggle against climate change.