Michele Uva is spearheading efforts to lower the climate footprint of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Thanks to his leadership, UEFA incorporated sustainability into the strategic planning for the 2024 European Football Championship in Germany, the world’s third-largest sporting event. Ticketholders received free public transportation and discounted train travel between venues, resulting in fewer than 5% of spectators traveling to matches in their own cars. UEFA’s Euro 2024 “Climate Fund” also invested nearly €8 million ($9.39 million) in 225 sustainability projects ranging from solar panel installations to EV charging stations to heat pumps across Germany’s amateur football clubs.What is the single most important action you think the public, or a specific company or government, needs to take in the next year to advance the climate agenda?Like soccer, climate action needs every player on the field. Governments, businesses, media, and citizens must act and play together—no more waiting for a single hero to save the game.What’s one sustainability effort you personally will try to adopt in the next year?I’ll rally the world’s 2.5 billion soccer fans, millions of players, coaches, and administrators—the largest community on Earth—to translate passion for the game into care for the planet. When all mobilize, change becomes unstoppable.What is a climate solution that isn't getting the attention or funding it deserves?In soccer, small moves win big matches. The same goes for climate: funding the everyday solutions—energy efficiency, sustainable transport, responsible consumption—creates the breakthroughs we need.What gives you hope about the future of the planet?The climate movement is becoming a true team sport. People everywhere are realizing we can’t stay on the sidelines—and that shared sense of urgency is what gives me hope.If you could stand up and talk to world leaders at the next COP, what would you say?Soccer means action and demands fair play. So does the planet. Keep your promises, inspire the community, act with urgency, and play for the win—because there’s no extra time in the climate game.