When the European Commission presented the Green Sport Manifesto in September 2025, as part of the SHARE 2.0 initiative, the European sports sector gained a new strategic benchmark for ecological transition. The document officially marked the entry of sport into the political agenda of sustainability, defining priorities, commitments, and guidelines for federations, municipalities, clubs, and sports agents.

But in Portugal, this movement had already begun and had a name: the Green Sport Project, developed in a Portuguese municipality.

While Europe was structuring its manifesto, Fullback was working on implementing and adapting solutions to integrate sustainability, efficiency, and digitization into sports management.

The Green Sport Project was born in 2024, as part of the Strategic Plan for Sport and Physical Activity, and got off the ground in January 2025 in a Portuguese municipality, even before the term “Green Sport” was adopted institutionally by the European Commission. This places Fullback at the forefront of sustainability in sport in Europe and demonstrates its alignment with European guidelines for sport.

A Portuguese project aligned with key European guidelines

The Green Sport Project did not come about by chance: it is the result of an understanding that the sports sector now has specific responsibilities in combating climate change, reducing consumption, and adapting sports facilities to new environmental challenges.

Among the key documents that influenced Fullback’s approach is the report “Sport’s Contribution to the European Green Deal – A Sport Sector Playbook,” published by the European Commission in 2023.

This guide, which should be required reading for any municipality, club, or federation, describes how sport can:

• improve the energy and water efficiency of sports facilities;
• organize sustainable sporting events;
• involve athletes, managers, and communities in environmental transformation;
• among others.

The report also explains that sport should be part of the climate agenda not only because of the reduction of its ecological footprint, but also because of the power of influence it has over millions of citizens.

The European Manifesto confirms Portugal’s path

When the European Commission launches the Green Sport Manifesto in 2025, it will validate precisely what Fullback was already applying: a sustainable model for local sport, based on practical solutions, technology, data analysis, and operational efficiency.

Fullback in SHARE Initiative 2.0: from practice to the European network

This pioneering journey also contributed to Fullback’s integration as a member of SHARE Initiative 2.0, where it participates in the community of practice for sports facilities, sustainability, and innovation.

This means that our work in Portugal is now directly linked to the European platform that brings together experts, public entities, and sports organizations responsible for defining the sustainable future of the sector.

Why this issue is crucial for the future of sport

Ecological transformation is no longer a trend, but a necessity.

And documents such as the Green Sport Manifesto and the European Green Deal Playbook are fundamental because:

They identify real problems (energy, waste, mobility, water).
• They present solutions that are applicable to different territories.
• They create a common vision for clubs, local authorities, and federations.
• They facilitate access to European funding for sustainable projects.

Reading these documents helps us understand that sport is not only a victim of climate change, but can also be one of its main agents of change.

The history of the Green Sport Project shows that sustainable transition in sport does not have to be reactive and that it can be anticipated.

And this ability to anticipate is what distinguishes leaders from followers today.

SHARE 2.0 – Green Sport Manifesto:

https://sport.ec.europa.eu/news/share-20-green-sport-manifesto-join-the-sustainability-movement

Sport’s Contribution to the European Green Deal:
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/0e76da18-9e26-11ee-b164-01aa75ed71a1/language-en