Policy and Commitment
- ‘05ER Climate Defender’ is FSV’s commitment to climate protection and can be viewed on the website here: https://www.mainz05.de/engagement/05er-klimaverteidiger/
- Mainz 05 is developing a sustainability strategy that deals with clear commitments to reduction. It plans to use the Science Based Target initiative (SBTI) as a guide in the future, to adhere to the reduction path.
- At the moment, all emissions that cannot be saved are offset with gold standard certificates.
- Since 2021, has supported “Sports for Future” – an environmental initiative where clubs, athletes and associations use the unifying power of sport to face the challenges of the climate crisis together.
Clean/Renewable Energy
- Uses 100% renewable energy through their partnership with energy supplier Entega.
- The stadium, office, fan shop and catering are all operated with green electricity.
- One of the three largest solar roof systems for football stadiums in Germany was built on the roof of the OPEL ARENA, which generates around 700,000 kWh of electricity annually and feeds it into the public power grid:
- Building applications for the further expansion of the photovoltaic areas have been submitted and are in the process of planning the implementation.
Energy Efficiency
- Mainz 05 was the first Bundesliga club to receive the DIN EN ISO 50001 energy certificate from TÜV Rheinland in 2016. The TÜV reviews Mainz 05 every year to determine whether it is still on the right track. To this day, 2023, the ISO certificate has been confirmed annually.
- An energy management system is used to identify and increase energy-saving potentials. Building control technology (GLT), with the help of which the technical systems can be controlled and regulated very efficiently and effectively.
- Time programs, presence detectors and modern systems play an essential role at the MEWA Arena.
- Luminaires are replaced annually in order to use only LED technology in the long term.
- Converted the floodlight system to LED.
- Installed LED lights and light sensors in the toilets.
Sustainable Transport
- Mainz 05 promotes the arrival of fans by public transport. The ticket to the home games in the OPEL ARENA is valid as a combined ticket for arrival and departure in the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) and Rhein-Nahe-Nahverkehrsverbund (RNN). The association invests more than 900,000 euros for the initiative every year.
- Organized and subsidised buses to take fans to away games.
- Bicycle parking spaces are available at the MEWA ARENA.
- Offers a free bike check for home games.
- The club also randomly distributes free VIP tickets to fans arriving by bike.
- Car-free match days” organized with ENTEGA in the past also motivated to get to the stadium climate-friendly by bike or public transport instead of by car.
- Has regularly offered a fan express by train to away games with its partner ENTEGA.
- Conducted a fan travel survey in 2020 which asked fans of their mode of transport when travelling to games.
- Around 50 percent of the spectators use public transport to travel.
- The most recent fan mobility survey took place in October 2022 and was tracked by the city of Mainz’s department for urban planning and management. The results have yet to be published.
Single Use Plastic Reduction/Removal
- Has completely switched to reusable cups for both cold and hot drinks. The cups are subject to a deposit, cleaned and put back into circulation.
Waste Management
- Mainz 05 diverts at least 95% of waste from landfill.
- The club has three different types of waste: paper, glass and residual waste. Hazardous waste (e.g., wood, metal) is rare and is collected separately. The residual waste is sent to the waste incineration plant.
- Paper towels are collected in a separate waste bin and, in cooperation with SCA, recycled into new paper towels.
Water Efficiency
- Waterless urinals installed in the grandstand at the stadium.
- A urinal flush control system has been implemented in all other locations (magnetic control) to reduce water consumption.
- Technical adjustments to the water supply made it possible to significantly reduce the amount of water used for irrigation.
Plant based/low carbon food
- Vegan options for fans at the stadium include falafel with lime dip, avocado sandwiches, couscous salad, carrot ginger soup and fresh fruit.
- Currently, vegan food is only offered at the stadium, but the club is trying to increase demand for vegan and vegetarian meals by involving young innovators to find attractive incentives. E.g. a 05ER Veggie goal wall – participants that could hit the wall won a free vegetarian bratwurst.
- Vegan options are not yet sustainably sourced, but this is a work in progress.
Biodiversity
- The “biotope” is located directly next to the MEWA ARENA. This natural green area maintained by Mainz 05 is the location for bee colonies that produce Arena honey, which is sold in the fan shop.
- Mainz 05 supports and finances a large-scale reforestation in the city forest near the stadium (2000 seedlings, already transplanted in March 2023).
- Unused areas around the stadium will be unsealed and planted.
- Green roofs are added where possible.
- At the MEWA ARENA, trees, shrubs and flower meadows are planted and preserved to provide nesting opportunities and food.
Education
- In addition, the “biotope” is used to bring the topic of biodiversity closer to school classes.
- With the 05ER classroom, Mainz 05 teaches students of 30 partner schools topics with particular relevance in a playful way. For example, actions take place regularly as part of the “Fairplay with the Environment” module which sees children and young people calculate their personal carbon footprint and discuss potential for improvement. Children can also learn about waste separation, waste prevention and upcycling during workshops.
- ‘Young Climathon’ was a new project for environmental education at Mainz’s partner schools in 2022. In cooperation with the city of Mainz and myclimate which faces real climate challenges, pupils developed innovative solutions for their hometown.
- In May 2018, A total of twelve 05er-KidsClub members took part in the workshop of social urban beekeeping on the subject of bees and honey. The aim of the event was to raise awareness among the young 05 fans of the importance of the bee in our ecosystem and to give them exciting information about the bee colony.
- Mainz 05 is building a forest playground for child-friendly environmental education in the city forest near the stadium (implementation April 2023).
Communication and Engagement
- ‘05ER Climate Defender’ is FSV’s commitment to climate protection and can be viewed on the website here: https://www.mainz05.de/engagement/05er-klimaverteidiger/
- Mainz 05 is working on a long-term CSR strategy.
- The club has published news articles regarding its climate engagement activities over the past 12 months: https://www.mainz05.de/engagement/news-engagement/
- Car-free match days” organized with ENTEGA in the past also motivated to get to the stadium climate-friendly by bike or public transport instead of by car.
- As part of its 05ER Climate Defender Week, FSV Mainz 05 used the Warming Stripes symbol for the first time, to draw attention to global warming since its association was founded in 1905 and to call for the necessary action.
- 05ER Climate Defender Week 2023 included:
- Theme evening on sustainability – how to effectively save energy in grassroots sports clubs.
- Youngclimathon – pupils developed solutions for real challenges.
- Klima Slam – scientifically based information on climate-related topics.
- Cookery course – with a focus on vegetarian cuisine.
- 05ER Kids Club – upcycling: created a playful way on how valuable and sustainable it can be to give old things a new meaning.
- 05ER – Climate Defender Matchday 2023 vs TSG Hoffenheim at the MEWA ARENA.
- Dirty-Way Day – held a clean-up day at the MEWA ARENA.
Additional information
Information sourced directly from 1. FSV Mainz 05 staff, website and third party websites
Information updated May 15 2023
