FC Schalke 04 has adopted a long-term sustainability strategy. This is also intended to strengthen the region.

Bundesliga football club Schalke 04 has adopted a long-term sustainability strategy and founded the “Zukunftsschmiede 04” together with companies from the Ruhr region. “We want to strengthen the region with the means at our disposal,” said chairman Bernd Schröder at a presentation on Wednesday: “This means that the club itself must first implement sustainable action in all areas and progress already made will be further expanded.”

Schröder emphasised that the club is an “active part of the Climate Neutral.Ruhr initiative”. The Zukunftsschmiede includes energy suppliers and other companies from the region. “Specifically, in this sustainable network of strong companies, the challenges ahead are to be analysed in detail, knowledge and ideas exchanged, resources pooled and suitable solutions found for a more sustainable Ruhr region,” Schröder said.

In addition to this network, the Königsblauen also assigned the club’s social commitment, ecological transformation and corporate responsibility to their sustainability strategy. “We don’t promise the blue of the sky, but want to do a comprehensible sustainability work that can be understood by all members and fans,” explained Sebastian Buntkirchen, Director Fans and Sustainability.

As a first project, the top floor of a multi-storey car park at the arena is to be equipped with a photovoltaic system. In addition, drinking water wells are to be installed.