Keir Starmer Joins Launch Of Earth FC At Fluminense Stadium
During his visit to Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit, UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, met with youth and football players at the launch of Earth FC (Terra FC in Brazil).
A global coalition of clubs, fans, community groups and civil society, Earth FC aims to mobilise millions of football fans and the football community to call for more action to combat climate change and protect nature.
Speaking of its launch, Keir Starmer, stated: “I’m very determined that we will beat the planet’s biggest challenge of our time. So, bringing football and climate change together is doing a very important thing not just for Rio but for the world. COP30 is going to be in Brazil, so it’s a wonderful opportunity to expand what you’re doing.”
The Prime Minister interacted with young people and players present at the event and received a personalised Earth FC jersey in recognition of his leadership on climate issues. The United Kingdom unveiled its Climate Plan (NDC 3.0) during COP29 in Baku, aligning with the commitments made under the Paris Agreement.
Held at Fluminense FC’s Laranjeiras Stadium, the event underscored the need for global unity to tackle climate change and highlighted the potential of football’s 3.5 billion fans worldwide to drive change.
In recent days, the UK and Brazil governments have launched ambitious climate plans. Earth FC is now calling on other governments to deliver ahead of COP30 in Belem, Brazil.
“Football is a national religion in Brazil,” said Marcos Botelho, a director at Earth FC.
“We are launching Earth FC to mobilise millions of football fans to protect what we love. Football is threatened by floods, heat and pollution whether in the Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil or Liverpool in the UK.
“But there’s still time for an epic comeback. We need governments across the world to follow the UK and Brazil’s lead in setting strong climate goals ahead of COP30 next year. They can’t drop the ball now.”
To mark its launch in Brazil, Earth FC commissioned a groundbreaking study that projects the effects of extreme weather events on elite football in the country over the next decade.
The study by consultancy ERM (Environmental Resources Management) shows that, of the 20 teams competing in the 2024 Series A of Campeonato Brasileiro (Brazilian top-tier football competition), 85% are at high risk of having their activities impacted by a severe climate event, such as flooding, wildfires, or extreme heat, until 2034.
The ERM report also provides an overview of the impact of climate on Brazilian football this year. It shows, for instance, that in 2024, top-tier clubs suffered losses exceeding R$ 100 million (approx. £14 million) due to extreme weather events.
The impacts of severe weather events on football aren’t limited to Brazil. In Spain, the floods at the end of October tragically affected the country’s population, as well as the football community and its fans.
Across Europe, in countries such as the UK, Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as in the United States, numerous professional clubs have had their games postponed due to extreme weather conditions.
Image: Keir Starmer poses with the Earth FC shirt at Fluminense FC’s Laranjeiras Stadium (Earth FC)
