UCL School of Management Professor Paolo Taticchi is featured in Forbes.com for contributing to the development of an innovative ESG index aimed at measuring the sustainability performance of Serie A - Italian football clubs. This innovative index aims to encourage clubs to embrace sustainability and become more transparent in their operations, with the hope of fostering positive changes in the football industry.

This article discusses the launch of the inaugural Serie A Sustainability Index, which evaluates the sustainability efforts of the 20 football clubs in Italy’s Serie A during the 2022-23 season. Sustainability, in this context, refers to the clubs’ actions to address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adopting eco-friendly practices, and improving organisational governance.

Professor Paolo Taticchi is one of the principal contributors to this index launched by two prominent consulting firms in the field - Enovation Consulting and Tecno International.

The index categorises clubs into three groups: “Pioneers” (today the most sustainable), “Active” (making progress), and “First Steps” (just starting their sustainability journey). It considers factors like environmental performance, engagement, partnerships, and strategy and governance. The index promotes transparency by relying on publicly disclosed information.

The results of the index revealed that some clubs, like A.C. Milan and Juventus, are leading in sustainability efforts, while others are lagging behind. Only a few clubs have formal sustainability strategies, and there is room for improvement, especially in environmental sustainability. Smaller clubs and those that do not own their stadiums face specific challenges in adopting sustainable practices.

The goal of the index is not to criticise clubs but to encourage them to become more sustainable. It is seen as a baseline for future progress, and the hope is that it will drive positive changes in the Italian football sector. Additionally, the league now requires each club to have a sustainability officer, and there are broader initiatives at the national and European level to promote sustainability in football.

Read the full Forbes.com article.