Socceroos and Matildas address climate crisis with carbon offsets on World Cup flights

07-Sep-2023 01:16:32 | Guardian

Exclusive: Issue ‘very important to the players’, says PFA president Jackson Irvine as funding is given for regeneration of native habitat

The Matildas and Socceroos have sought to demonstrate their commitment to addressing the climate crisis by purchasing carbon offsets covering their flights at the recent world cups in Qatar and Australia. The move follows increasing criticism towards sporting organisations over their contributions to global heating.

The Socceroos and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) pursued the offsets following the Qatar tournament, undertaking an audit of the players’ flights in partnership with environmental market investor GreenCollar. Based on that information, the PFA committed funding to a project that regenerates native habitat near Bourke in New South Wales. Under a similar process, the audit for the Matildas’ flights at the Women’s World Cup is underway.