Environment doesn't make the cut for Independent Football Regulator

The Government’s plans for a new independent regulator for English football were outlined in the King’s Speech last month, but climate didn’t even make the bench

King Charles III provided an outline of the Football Governance Bill, which will introduce a new independent regulator for English football, in his speech from the throne earlier this month. This ceremonial speech provides the Government with the opportunity to set out its priorities over the coming months, and marks the start of the parliamentary year - almost like the pre-season press conference of British politics. 

In the speech, the King said this Bill will “safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit of communities and fans". This is the latest step in a process which began with the Fan-Led Review back in 2019. Plans for the regulator will likely include a strengthened owners and directors test, greater fan input, the prevention of breakaway competitions, and protection for historic clubs at risk of going out of business. This policy stemmed from the multiple crisis moments in football governance of the last few years, including the proposed European Super League breakaway and the collapse of Bury FC.

The planned legislation is clearly focused on financial sustainability. This commitment to protecting the financial security of the game we love is a hugely positive step - however, financial sustainability cannot exist without proper regulation on environmental impact. 

Climate change is threatening the game we love, as extreme heat conditions and flash floods disrupt fixtures, damage stadiums, and hit clubs finances. Football has a role in driving climate change and environmental damage, too, whether that’s through carbon emissions from football-related to travel or waste from catering and clothing.

What’s more, climate change has already impacted, and will continue to impact, the beautiful game. 

In February 2022 Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin caused extensive damage across the football ecosystem. In Yorkshire, Tadcaster Albion AFC (who share a ground with Leeds United Women) were flooded for the seventh time in two years. Later last year, a bout of extreme rainfall caused so many fixture cancellations that #GameOff was trending on Twitter. Playing outdoor sport in temperatures exceeding 30°C can lead to severe dehydration and heatstroke, and the UK had a record seven consecutive days of this heat in September, well into the new football season.

Changing patterns of seasonal weather and the increased likelihood of heatwaves and flooding that the UK is already seeing and will likely continue to face in the coming decades will result in disruption to the game at every level, but the women’s game, lower leagues, and amateur football will be particularly impacted. By 2050, one quarter of English league football grounds will be at risk from flooding every season, which could make some of our game’s most historic grounds effectively unusable. 

Yet, football is not a bystander in all of this - as one of the world’s largest cultural forces, football has the power to change behaviour like nothing else. 

For a football regulator to truly “safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit of communities and fans”, it must include environmental sustainability within its remit. The Bill will seek to introduce a “Corporate Governance Code”, and FFF hopes that this will include environmental measures. These measures could include environmental criteria being conditions of operating licensing, and a requirement for clubs to have a comprehensive sustainability strategy in place.

Football clubs are businesses, and businesses have consistently expressed that government regulation will be the key driver of climate action. Clubs in the UK, like all other businesses, will need to help meet the UK’s legal obligation to be Net Zero by 2050.

We’re all on the same team for this one, and we’re in extra time. To find a winner, football, like any squad, needs inspiration and strong leadership from its management.