The Football Association of Ireland has joined the United Nations (UN) Sports for Climate Action community as part of the roll-out of its Social and Environmental Sustainability (SES) Strategy.

Launched in December 2024, the SES Strategy sets out how environmental, social and governance-related issues are part of the wider framework that uses football to contribute to sustainable development.

The SES Strategy is shaped around three priorities:

• Climate Action & Environmental Sustainability
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Health & Well-Being

The UN Sport for Climate Action community, as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, outlines core principles for different sports to follow that include systemic efforts to reduce climate impact plus programmes to educate and promote sustainable and responsible consumption.

The Association is already underway with a lot of these initiatives and has been working closely with Aviva Stadium to reduce food waste, monitor water usage and implement more actions to increase sustainability.

The Association has also been liaising with UEFA, who have a 10-year Sustainability Strategy that encourages National Associations, clubs and leagues to have long-term strategies to reduce carbon mission burdens, protect the environment, and make the game as sustainable as possible, now and in the future.

However, this new link-up with the UN Sport for Climate Action community further strengthens the Association’s commitment to ensuring that its SES Strategy has a positive impact on Irish football.