NAILSWORTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Kevin Long of Birmingham City celebrates with teammate Krystian ... [+] Bielik after scoring the team's second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Forest Green Rovers and Birmingham City at The New Lawn on January 17, 2023 in Nailsworth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe worlds original league soccer competition, the English Football League, has redeveloped its Green Clubs environmental sustainability scheme. Bi-seasonal assessments will be rolled out and clubs now have the ability to achieve bronze, silver and gold status.What Is Green Clubs?EFL Green Clubs is a league-wide voluntary scheme that supports soccer clubs in England to improve their environmental practices and operations. It offers training and support for clubs as they develop green practices in areas such as purchasing, staff engagement and measuring their carbon footprint. The scheme is delivered in partnership with GreenCode, an environmental accreditation organisation owned by environmentalist and soccer club chairman, Dale Vince OBE.Of the 72 member clubs in the EFL, 38 are signed up to Green Clubs, which initially launched in 2021. The new inclusion of bronze, silver and gold status will require clubs to reach a minimum number of points for each level, and have certain specific measures in place. Examples include a published environmental policy, a baseline carbon footprint, setting targets and having a director or board member responsible for environmental sustainability.Wycombe Wanderers soccer player David Wheeler believes the beautiful game can can play a big part in creating positive action around climate change, saying Clubs are hugely influential within their local communities which is why it is fantastic to see the EFL develop and expand its Green Clubs Scheme.A clear roadmap for EFL clubs and more opportunity to celebrate the work being done to reduce their environmental impact is what director of equality, diversity and inclusion, David McArdle, hopes the improved scheme will achieve. By championing the achievements of this seasons participating clubs, we want to encourage further environmental action across the League. he said.MORE FOR YOUWhy Does Soccer Need Environmental Standards?Over the next 30 years, climate hazards such as flooding, storms and heatwaves pose an increasing threat to soccer grounds in England, according to climate modelling. In September 2024, EFL League Two side AFC Wimbledon saw 100,000 litres of water collapse their pitch and flood their concourses, when a nearby river broke its banks from a months worth of rain that fell in a number of hours.LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 24: An aerial view shows a sinkhole that has appeared on the AFC ... [+] Wimbledon football pitch after heavy rain on September 24, 2024 in London, United Kingdom. There was widespread travel disruption and damage to properties after Monday's heavy rains and flash flooding in parts of the country. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)Getty ImagesSoccer players have previous spoken out about the impact of climate change on playing conditions during their careers and the need for the soccer industry to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.Green Clubs is voluntary but shows an evolution towards increased ambition and transparency through training and accreditation. Other soccer leagues in Europe have rolled out voluntary and mandatory environmental sustainability criteria for their clubs in recent years.In 2021, Germanys DFL Deutsche Fuball Liga were the first soccer league globally to incorporate mandatory environmental sustainability criteria into licensing for Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2. Premier League clubs agreed to a minimum mandatory standard of environmental commitment in 2024. In Spain, La Ligas Environmental Fair Play project has created a knowledge platform and hosts challenges to develop innovative solutions.