Annika Zimmermann: Moderator at the DFL Sustainability Forum
Annika Zimmermann played a key role at the inaugural DFL Sustainability Forum held on July 28th, 2022, in Berlin. This important event brought together over 200 guests from the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2, politics, business, and academia to discuss sustainability initiatives in professional football.
A Focus on Sustainability in German Football
The forum, themed "Shaping the future," showcased the DFL's increased commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Key speakers included German ministers Svenja Schulze and Cem Özdemir, alongside experts from the UN Climate Change and Futurium. The event highlighted the DFL's new sustainability criteria, now integrated into the licensing process for Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs. These criteria cover club management, environmental practices, and stakeholder engagement, marking a significant step towards a greener future for German football.
Annika Zimmermann's Role
As the moderator for several panels, Annika Zimmermann skillfully guided discussions on crucial topics. Her expertise facilitated insightful conversations among panelists including representatives from leading Bundesliga clubs (Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, VfL Bochum, Eintracht Braunschweig, and FC St. Pauli), media partners like Sky Deutschland, and representatives from organizations such as S20 – The Sponsors’ Voice e.V., PreZero, and the DFL Foundation. Her contributions were instrumental in shaping the narrative around sustainability within the German football league.
Impact and Future Steps
The DFL Sustainability Forum's success signals a major shift towards integrating sustainability into the core operations of professional football in Germany. The forum's commitment to ongoing dialogue and collaboration, facilitated by moderators like Annika Zimmermann, promises continued progress in making German football more sustainable. The implementation of the new licensing criteria, coupled with additional support services for clubs and a collaborative further education program with Leuphana University and SPONSORs, signifies a long-term vision for positive change. The announcement of climate-neutral media production for all Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 matches, a collaboration between DFL and Sky, further underscores this commitment.
Conclusion
Annika Zimmermann’s role as moderator at the DFL Sustainability Forum underscores the growing importance of sustainability in professional sports. Her contributions to the event's success highlight the crucial role of effective communication and collaboration in driving positive change within the football industry. To learn more about the DFL's sustainability initiatives, visit the DFL website (link needed).