Full article (translated): On April 22, J.League decided to participate in the international sports initiative “Sport Positive League (SPL)” headquartered in the UK. J.League and all 60 clubs in J1, J2, and J3 will participate in SPL.
SPL runs a program that scores soccer clubs’ climate actions from 12 perspectives, allowing clubs to see their progress and the direction they should take at a glance. As of 2025, four leagues have taken part: the English Premier League, the German Bundesliga, the French Ligue 1, and the English Football League. J.League will be the first league in Asia and the fifth in the world to participate.
SPL’s evaluation perspectives are 12: “policy/commitment,” “clean energy,” “energy conservation,” “sustainable transportation,” “reducing disposable plastics,” “waste management,” “water conservation,” “plant-based/low-carbon food,” “biodiversity,” “education,” “communication,” and “sustainable procurement.”
Through this participation, J.League will score all 60 climate actions using the SPL program. Specifically, 2025 will be positioned as a preparation period for participating in the SPL, and the club will officially enter the special tournament at the transitional stage of the 2026 season. The more collaboration between partner companies, hometown governments, fans and supporters, the media, and other stakeholders can be achieved, the higher the ranking will effectively be.
At the same time, the J.League will establish a new system to support clubs, the “J.League Sustainability Business Activity Grant System.” 240 million yen will be provided by the Nippon Foundation to strengthen activities in 12 categories. The upper limit is 4 million yen per club, but clubs can apply multiple times depending on their circumstances. In addition, from 2026 onwards, the budget will be allocated according to rankings rather than on an application basis.
In addition, in order to strengthen the J.League’s own activities, the “J.League Sustainability Business Activation Project,” with a total amount of 380 million yen, including the “J.League Sustainability Business Activity Grant System,” will be launched. The club support guide and educational content for stakeholders throughout the J.League will be enhanced. The J.League has also declared that it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including Scope 3, by 50% by 2030 across the league.
Full article in local language (Japanese): htttps://sustainablejapan.jp/2025/04/23/j-league-sport-positive-league/112845
