Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Dutch have a knack for innovation, and Ajax’s home ground is no different.
The Amsterdam ArenA is net climate-neutral: it has 4,200 solar panels and various renewable measures ensuring that the ground achieves net zero carbon emissions – offsetting any fossil fuel usage or carbon emissions generated by its operation.
The stadium itself is cooled by using the water from a nearby lake. There are even intelligently placed wind turbines around the site that generate ample electricity too. If all that wasn’t enough, it’s the world’s first stadium to use 100% renewable seating - every seat is made from sugarcane.
Olympic Stadium, London, England
Olympic bids are a huge onetime event for their host countries. Because of this, the post-Olympic life of a park needs to be carefully considered before the torch arrives. The focus for the London Olympics and its stadia was legacy.
Social, economic and green considerations were considered when converting industrial sites in East London into usable community spaces.
Rubble from derelict buildings was used to create walls and extend wildlife habitats. From planning to present, everything in and around the Olympic park was set up to leave a lasting and positive impact in London.
To make facilities manageable, and to avoid them standing empty for future years, high capacity stadiums have had their capacity lowered to make them viable. For example, the swimming centre had temporary stands that boosted its capacity to 15,000 during the 2012 games, but now with the additional wings removed, the capacity is a viable 2,500.
Now, six years since the London Olympics, the legacy of the park continues to grow. Eight of the permanent Olympic venues are open. West Ham United has made the Olympic Stadium its new home, ensuring that the stadium and park will continue to thrive in the years to come.
The legacy will extend even further with permission for 6,800 new homes granted in the area. These new neighbourhoods, such as East Village (formerly the Olympic Village) include modern facilities, amenities and almost 1,500 affordable homes.
Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
Dortmund is known for its industrious efficiency, and now its football club has been rolling out green energy initiatives.
Its partnership with renewable energy provider Lichtblick means all the club’s facilities including the stadium, training pitches, headquarters and everything in between are powered by clean, green energy. It’s a model for sustainability that leaves a high marker for all clubs across Europe.