ClubRobbie Fowler joins LFC and The Red Way at United Nations for New York Climate Week
Club legend Robbie Fowler joined Liverpool FC at the United Nations headquarters in the USA as part of its involvement in New York Climate Week, showcasing its award-winning sustainability programme, The Red Way.
Fowler and LFC’s director of impact, Rishi Jain, took part in a panel discussion last week that explored how football and sport can unite communities, tackle global challenges and drive progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The session formed part of ‘Football for the Goals’, a United Nations initiative that provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the SDGs.
The pair shared their perspectives on the role players and clubs can play in driving global change, while Jain highlighted LFC’s commitment to all 17 of the UN’s SDGs through The Red Way. The panel also discussed how the power of sport can be used to advance sustainability and combat hate speech and racism.
“Visiting the United Nations was an incredible experience,” said Fowler. “It really highlighted the importance of sustainability and the role that football has in uniting people.
“The work the club is doing through The Red Way is something to be proud of, and it was great to learn more about and share that work during Climate Week.”
The Red Way strategy is built on three key pillars: people, planet and communities. The strategy is central to the club’s ambition of achieving net zero by 2040. Recent progress includes eliminating carbon emissions from domestic team flights using sustainable aviation fuel, planting more than 1,000 trees and hedges across club sites, and making the iconic Anfield pitch fully recyclable.
Jain added: “It was an honour to take part in the United Nations panel to share the work we are doing through The Red Way. The Red Way is more than just a sustainability strategy, it is embedded into every part of the club.
“We are proud to be aligned with all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and this reflects our commitment to building a better future for our people, our planet, and our communities.”
In addition to the UN panel, Fowler and Jain also joined ‘Communicating climate change – how can culture drive action?’, a session run by The Climate Group, organisers of Climate Week. The panel explored how sport and culture can inspire collective climate-positive behaviours.
LFC also hosted an intimate networking event for partners and key stakeholders, celebrating shared activities and achievements of The Red Way. One highlight was a collaboration with 1PointFive, which saw the creation of the club’s first carbon-removed retro jersey. Another was LFC’s innovative campaign on ocean health with principal partner AXA.
LFC’s presence at New York Climate Week is another important step on its journey with The Red Way, underlining the club’s leadership in sustainability and its commitment to creating a lasting positive impact for its people, planet and communities.
To find out more about The Red Way, visit www.liverpoolfc.com/theredway.