top of page

What Pressures Really Push Pro Football Toward Environmental Sustainability in Europe

Jul 7, 2025
1 min read

Updated: Jul 22, 2025

This study examines how different types of institutional pressures influence the adoption of environmental governance and operational practices in European professional football organizations.


As environmental concerns grow in global sport, understanding what motivates clubs to embrace environmental sustainability is key. This study applies institutional theory (focusing on coercive, normative, and mimetic pressures) to explain sustainability action in European football, offering insights into an underexplored sector of sport management.


Researchers surveyed 122 representatives from professional football clubs and stadiums across 11 European countries, measuring their environmental practices and the pressures they face. The authors then analyzed how each type of pressure influenced two categories: governance practices (like appointing environmental officers) and operational practices (like reducing energy and waste).


Results show that coercive pressures (from stakeholders like sponsors, associations, and fans) significantly drive governance practices, while normative pressures (like standards and certification) strongly influence operational practices. Mimetic pressures (copying other clubs) were not significant for either, suggesting a lack of visible “first movers” in this space.


These results imply that external pressure works: aligning with standards and responding to stakeholder expectations are more likely to drive sustainability than simply following competitors’ lead. They also highlight that there is a necessity to account for a certain level of heterogeneity of practices and approaches to sport sustainability.


CITE: Daddi, T., Todaro, N. M., Iraldo, F., & Frey, M. (2021). Institutional pressures on the adoption of environmental practices: a focus on European professional football. Journal of Environmental planning and management, 1-23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2021.1927679


10 Comments


shivangi shah
6 days ago

In the diuwin login apk, are the results updated automatically or do we need to refresh the page manually? Sometimes delayed results can confuse new users, so I want to confirm.


Like

Mekhi
Mekhi
Oct 07

The finding that copying other clubs had little impact surprised me. I’d have expected visible examples to matter more, but clear standards seem to give clubs something concrete to work toward. Whether I’m reading a sustainability report or a 3 Coin Golden Ox demo review, I prefer details I can check over broad claims. For clubs, publishing changes in energy use and waste would be a useful start.

Like

Muskan
Muskan
Oct 06

I really like how this simple mehndi design looks elegant without being too complicated. It is perfect for beginners and works beautifully for casual occasions.

Like

Muskan
Muskan
Oct 06

I was searching for a fresh insta dp for girls, and these suggestions are really helpful. The collection has many creative options for different moods and personal styles.

Like

Muskan
Muskan
Oct 06

A lovely collection of rangoli design for diwali ideas with attractive patterns and festive details. These designs can add a traditional and welcoming touch to any entrance.

Like

Subscribe to get the latest research and updates. No junk, we promise.

  • twitter
  • twitter

© 2026 Sport Ecology Group

bottom of page