He Real Betis -through its environmental program Forever Green– this Wednesday celebrated the second Forever Green Galaan event that aims to show the commitment of the world of sport in the fight against climate change and discuss the key challenges facing the sector to deliver in the short term environmental sports.
This season, Forever Green traveled Barcelona to celebrate with Caixaforum from the capital of Barcelona this event, the only one related to environmental sustainability organized by a Spanish football club. The Gala, hosted by a comedian and monologue Juan Amodeo and the sports broadcaster Eugenia Karolyiwas inaugurated by Hugo MoránSecretary of State for the Environment of the Spanish Government.
After the Gala opening, the round table ‘Sustainable initiatives of companies linked to the world of sports’ began. Administered by Karolyi, Sandra GonzalezDirector of Transversal Projects and Sustainability Communication at CaixaBank; José María Galofre, CEO of Volvo Cars Spain; and Pablo AcevedoDirector of Operations of the Barcelona Tennis Club / Conde Godó spoke about the initiatives taken by their companies to reduce their harmful impact on the planet.
The next block of the Gala consists of meeting the key personnel of entities committed to the environment. Xanty Elias, owner and chef of Finca Alfoliz, tells how they work in their restaurant in Huelva, with an ecological garden maintained using permaculture techniques, offers seasonal products and kilometer zero. A restaurant that already has two green Michelin stars, recognizing its commitment to the planet.
The Spanish Olympic Committee is the next star in this block. Manuel Pargadirector of Sustainability of the institution, was in charge of explaining to the attendees the Sustainability Manifesto developed by the COE to improve the sustainable development agenda of sport, based on lines of action such as sustainable mobility, energy efficiency or circular economy.
From COE to Sail GP. Nicole van der Veldenstrategist of the Spanish team, said how the Spanish team participated in the Impact League, the competition organized by Sail GP out at sea to proclaim the champion of the team that has taken the most actions to reduce the carbon footprint.
Next, the Sevillian Juan Amodeo He added his witty note with a short monologue after that The work and collaboration of Forever Green’s media partners was recognized: 2playbook, As, Marca, Mundo Deportivo and Relevo They received their recognition, sealing their commitment to the green and white sustainability platform.
Filippo Vegliohead of Social and Environmental Sustainability at UEFA, explained the commitment they have built with sustainability in events such as football matches through two ways: avoiding and reducing the negative impact of the competition and leaving a positive social heritage and governance for host communities.
After learning about UEFA’s ESG initiatives, it was the turn of Juan Luis Ramosbiologist, biochemist and CSIC researcher and recognized with the Jaume I Prize, contributed to the Gala the scientific perspective of How we work to fight climate changeappreciate the efforts being made from the world of sports.
After him it was the turn of Palmyra Thistle, director of Mayumana, who said how the company sends a message of sustainability and reuse in every show, using everyday tools as instruments. Palmira had a small interaction with the group as a preamble to the show that closed the second edition of the Forever Green Gala.
Forever Green Awards
During the event, the first edition of the Forever Green Awards was presented, recognizing the work and commitment to the environment of entities, companies and people in the sports sector and the business world.
Forever Green Sustainable Popularizer Award: Project Kune He is the first winner of the ‘Sustainable Popularizer’ category. Following Forever Green since the beginning of the season and fully committed to the social projects of the Real Betis Balompié Foundation, the green and white sustainability platform recognizes Project Kune for its work, which consists of traveling around the world discovering initiative and example that shows that the transition to a more sustainable world is possible.
Forever Green Award ‘Social Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy: This award is presented to Fashion Re, the non-profit social initiative cooperative promoted by the Spanish Cáritas Confederation, which, framed within the Social and Solidarity Economy, is dedicated to the management of the whole circle of used clothes: collection, preparation for reuse, -recycle, donate and sell. Recently, Real Betis placed a clothes rack outside the Stadium so that fans can leave their clothes there. This award is sponsored by Check Point, an international cybersecurity solutions provider and partner of Real Betis Balompié.
Forever Green Award ‘Sustainable sports project’: Forever Green awarded this recognition to Spanish Water Polo League for its commitment to the environment. This competition works to make its sporting events more respectful of the planet, reducing its carbon footprint. LEWaterpolo has begun the certification process to become the first league in Spain to prove its alignment with the SDGs thanks to the Spanish Olympic Committee’s sustainability seal. In addition, LEWaterpolo joined the Real Betis sustainability platform last season.
Forever Green Award ‘Sustainable track record and involvement’: We play for the Green: by Morten Thorsby He received this award in recognition of his work for the planet. This project aims, through the power of football, to promote a sustainable world in line with the UN SDGs.
Forever Green ‘sustainable innovator’ award in the food industry: the Verdiblanca Sustainability Platform recognizes the work of Torres Wineries After five generations as wine producers, they work firmly in social, environmental and financial sustainability, combining the tradition we inherited with constant innovation to face the future. Beyond sustainability, this Winery has it in its DNA to preserve the Earth for future generations and give back to nature and society what they have given us.
Forever Green Award ‘Sustainable industrial development’: The designer Paula Ulargui Escalona was the next winner, who although she was unable to attend sent a message of thanks to Forever Green. In charge of Cristina Pedroche’s controversial ecological appearance on Antena 3’s Chimes on New Year’s Eve 2023, she is a young Navarrese designer obsessed with sustainable clothing, researching new biomaterials, ephemeral pieces that speak of nature and responsible consumption.
Forever Green Award ‘Sustainable Innovative Solution’: The final recognition of the event went to the Forever Green collaborator Ecoadvance. Company with more than 15 years of experience in the water treatment and ecological cleaning sector. Through this collaboration agreement, Eco Advance has provided Real Betis with cleaning systems with ozonated water for the disinfection and cleaning of facilities, as well as for laundry and clothing care.
After the award ceremony, Ramon AlarconCEO of Real Betis Balompié, thanked all the speakers and attendees of the Gala for their participation and briefly reviewed the three years of the green and white club’s sustainability platform.
The closing II Forever Green Gala came from the hand of get richthe company sent its usual message of sustainability, using everyday tools as instruments.
FOREVER GREEN
Since 2020, Real Betis Balompié has had Forever Green, the environmental program managed by the Foundation and which has placed the Verdiblanco club as the second most sustainable in Europe and the first in LaLiga, according to the prestigious international consulting firm Brand Finance. Real Betis shows its commitment to the planet by taking steps within the Club itself, such as, for example, the construction of its new 100% sustainable Rafael Gordillo Sports City or choosing suppliers with eco criteria. On the other hand, the green and white club also wants to add allies in the fight against climate change. For this reason, Forever Green already has 92 member entities and has reached 617 million people through actions carried out during these more than three years.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
