Viva Porto: FC Porto is blue but new award says it also has a “Green Heart”
In the last few hours, we learned that Estádio do Dragão has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability. Futebol Clube do Porto has received the “Coração Verde” certification, awarded by LIPOR.
As stated by Porto City Council, this is a recognition of the measures implemented in waste management. The distinction was presented by the vice-president of Porto City Council, Filipe Araújo, to Porto leader João Borges.
The ceremony took place as part of the presentation of the “Free Kicks” project, an initiative that brings together FC Porto with clubs such as Real Betis, Malmö and Racing Club, as well as organizations such as Escola Superior Sant’Anna, Sport Positive, ECA and the Romanian Football Federation. The aim of the project is to promote the circular economy and sustainability in football.
Filipe Araújo highlighted the importance of the award, underlining FC Porto’s role in the city’s international projection. “We are talking about FC Porto, the city’s great brand that projects us beyond borders and, by projecting the values of sustainability, makes the Municipality of Porto very happy, because it is an area where we have made a great effort to elevate the city itself, with all its stakeholders, to another level,” he stated.
The mayor praised FC Porto’s work in recycling waste and recalled that the city has invested in recycling organic waste, now having brown containers spread throughout the municipality and intended for this purpose.
FC Porto’s Sustainability Officer, Teresa Santos, stressed that the club has invested in innovative projects in this area. In addition to “Free Kicks”, it is involved in two initiatives of the Access Project: the “Coração Verde” certification and a program to reuse water for the stadium’s irrigation. According to the director, FC Porto’s adherence to the Porto Climate Pact is symptomatic of the club’s alignment with the city’s environmental values.
FC Porto’s environmental commitment is not new. Since 2007, Estádio do Dragão has been certified in the environmental area, being the first European club to receive EMAS certification from the European Commission.
Read the story in Portuguese here.
