The Sustainability Report has been unveiled as an Official Media Partner of Real Betis Balompié and its Forever Green platform as the Spanish La Liga club aims to showcase its extensive sustainability work.

Over the course of the initial 12-month partnership, The Sustainability Report will produce bespoke content for Real Betis, focused on its Forever Green platform and sustainability initiatives.

Launched last year, Forever Green is an open platform for partners to demonstrate how their products and services are helping the transition to a low-carbon and sustainable future. It was established by Real Betis to leverage the power of football to encourage fans and businesses to take concrete climate action.

Through Forever Green, Real Betis has partnered with organisations such as Ecólatras and Lime, as well as Seville City Council, on a number of sustainability projects. Forever Green Volunteer Corps have also been deployed at this summer’s UEFA Euro 2020 Championships to help fans with recycling.

As a club, Real Betis has addressed its own environmental footprint by obtaining the UNFCCC Climate Neutral Now certification, and has also adopted the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework and the Climate Pledge – the commitment to become net zero by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement.

Established in 2018, The Sustainability Report has become a leading publication focusing on sustainability and sport. Through sharp analysis, engaging podcasts, and research-based reports and whitepapers, The Sustainability Report gives sports professionals the information they need to transform their organisations into environmentally responsible businesses. 

In 2020, The Sustainability Report published its first football-related white paper, ‘The Football Executive’s Guide to Sustainability Strategy’.

Ramón Alarcón, director general of Real Betis, said: “In order to raise awareness among citizens about the preservation of the environment, we deem it essential to let people know what Forever Green and a football club such as Real Betis Balompié are doing in the fight against climate change. The alliance with The Sustainability Report will allow us to reach many more people beyond sports and play our part for them to take a stand.”

Matthew Campelli, director of sustainability at Touchline and editor of The Sustainability Report, added: “Real Betis has always been an iconic football club, with its exciting players, passionate fans, and distinctive green and white kit. But since the club has made sustainability a core part of its identity, I have become an even bigger fan – I’m delighted that Ramón and his team have decided to showcase some of their pioneering work on The Sustainability Report platform.”