The Football Association of Wales (FAW) recently took part in an inspiring event in Brøndby, Denmark, as part of the ongoing ACCESS Project, an initiative dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability in sport across Europe. Organised by the Danish FA, the event, titled “Co-creation of Green Sustainability in the World of Sports,” brought together regional and national sports organisations to explore sustainable solutions, share best practices, and empower volunteers to embrace greener ways of operating.
The local multiplier event, hosted by the Danish Olympic Committee, provided a dynamic platform for discussion, learning, and collaboration, with 35 participants engaging in conversations around key sustainability challenges. The FAW was proud to represent Wales in these important discussions, sharing insights from its own sustainability journey and learning from the innovative approaches being implemented across Denmark.
The event featured inspiring speakers such as Trine Sørensen of the Danish Olympic Committee, Sanne Stephensen from Roskilde Festival’s 365 Volunteers platform, and Ann Lykke Davidsen of the Danish Handball Federation. Each speaker highlighted impactful green initiatives and showcased how sport can drive environmental change at all levels. Participants also took part in a group exercise facilitated by Christian Kierkegaard of the Danish Olympic Committee, simulating a collaborative process to identify, prioritise, and tackle sustainability challenges.
A particular highlight was the visit to Brøndby Stadium, where participants witnessed first-hand the “Second Sun” project, an innovative initiative using steel panels to reflect sunlight onto shaded areas of the pitch, significantly reducing energy consumption and emissions. This project exemplifies the kind of creative thinking the ACCESS Project aims to promote across European sport.
Alongside the local event, the FAW also participated in the latest ACCESS Project partner meeting in Copenhagen. This crucial gathering allowed partners to review progress on the project’s Action Plans, covering areas such as mobility, waste management, energy supply, water conservation, and nature protection. The FAW is proud to contribute to this collaborative effort, helping shape the ‘Green Goals Charter’ that will support the nationwide adoption of sustainability practices across clubs and organisations.
As the project nears its final stages, the FAW remains committed to driving sustainability in Welsh football.
The insights gained from Denmark will help shape our continued efforts, aligning with the FAW’s Sustainability Strategy and further embedding green practices across our operations.
The ACCESS Project continues to showcase the power of collaboration in tackling the environmental challenges facing sport today, and the FAW is honoured to play its part in building a greener future for football.
Cymru, Wellbeing & the World
The FAW’s sustainability strategy 2030
