Michael Diederich: 'Effect real change together'

During the half-time break, balloons were released into the sky above the FC Bayern Campus – biodegradable balloons, which Michael Diederich, deputy CEO of FC Bayern, and Georg van der Vorst from FCB climate partner Viessmann used to symbolise the Future Matchday, which formed the backdrop to FC Bayern Women’s home match against Bayer Leverkusen (2-0). Sustainability was the theme of the day, with fans being encouraged to take climate and environmental protection seriously and, in particular, to reduce their carbon footprint (i.e. CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions). Thanks to the measures surrounding the match, it was possible to reduce the average six tonnes of CO2 emissions from an FC Bayern Women's match by around one tonne (just over 800 kg). Each balloon represented 50 kilograms of CO2 saved.

Emphasis on sustainability

“FC Bayern is putting an emphasis on sustainability, particularly in the area of climate and environment protection,” explained Diederich. “We’re therefore pleased that we can hold this ‘Future Matchday’ together with our partner Viessmann. We want to use our cohesion, our ‘Mia san mia’ to sensitise as many people as possible to future-oriented behaviour.” Van der Vorst praised the “statement that FC Bayern and Viessmann are making for climate protection. We’ve come up with several measures to tackle the right areas.”

Thorsten Glauber, the Bavarian State Minister for the Environment and Consumer Protection (Free Voters), came to the Campus especially for the Future Matchday. “With its pulling power, FC Bayern allows a multiplying effect into society,” he said. “Climate change affects us all, so it's important to shed light on the topic together without being patronising, to take people along with us and encourage them to do their own little bit.” Bianca Rech, director of FCB Women, explained that Viessmann is “an authentic partner in setting an important example for the future: we want to reduce our CO2 footprint.”

‘Effect real change together’: With our fans for the climate and environment

CO2 emissions at a match are mainly caused by emissions from fan mobility (travelling to and from the Campus), energy consumption (e.g. floodlights, pitch heating), catering (catering & kiosks) and waste. At the match on Sunday, more vegan and vegetarian food options were offered at the kiosks and in the VIP area. Giulia Gwinn also called on fans on social media to travel in a climate-friendly way. Many responded to this appeal by travelling by bike or public transport, as a mobility survey conducted in the run-up to the match showed. According to Diederich, each individual can “make their own contribution - and together we can effect real change. The fans' more climate-friendly travel and catering in particular saved almost 20 per cent of the usual CO2 emissions from FC Bayern Women's home matches at the Campus.”

Social and ecological sustainability: a holistic understanding of sustainability for us and our partners

Strategic partnerships are also “irreplaceable” in terms of sustainability, Diederich emphasised: “We have partners who invest a lot of heart and resources.” Viessmann is not only the manufacturer of the pitch heating system installed at the Campus – which saves a lot of energy and CO2 on all matchdays, in particular by avoiding the combustion of natural gas – but also shares FC Bayern's values in terms of social sustainability. Before the game, Viessman invited children to draw their vision of a sustainable matchday. The young artists were then allowed to walk out with captain Glodis Viggosdottir, Klara Bühl and their colleagues. Diederich, van der Vorst and Glauber also took time at the match for a brief exchange with members of the deaf fan club ‘Red Deaf’, which develops the gestures for the German record champions’ players, among other things.

FC Bayern, Viessmann and the Bavarian State Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection also provided information on the topic of sustainability and CO2 emissions at campaign stands. Overall, the club is not limiting itself to involving its fans and partners in the area of environmental and climate protection, explained Diederich: “It is important for us to start with ourselves and set a good example. FC Bayern can bring a whole host of issues to the table.” In this context, the deputy CEO listed the biotope at the Campus, through which FC Bayern attaches great importance to protecting biodiversity in its immediate sphere of influence. Diederich also referred to the charging park for electric vehicles at the Allianz Arena, which FC Bayern has built together with its partner MAN.

Thinking of tomorrow today

The German record champions have been a member of the Bavarian Climate Alliance since 2015, campaigning for climate action together with the Bavarian state government and other players. This holistic understanding of sustainability shapes FC Bayern’s overall direction: thinking of tomorrow today. And that’s exactly what the Future Matchday was intended to draw attention to.

FCB Women won the match against Leverkusen 2-0: