Climate change
The clear objective of our sustainability strategy in the context of climate change is to ensure that Borussia Dortmund’s business activities are aligned with the targets of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and ideally to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
In the area of climate protection, our CO₂ reduction targets have been scientifically validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – a unique feature in German professional football as of September 2026. The world’s largest photovoltaic system on a stadium roof at that time is now fully operational at SIGNALIDUNA PARK and, together with the battery storage system, is making a significant contribution to CO₂ reduction.
Overview of further measures
Borussia Dortmund is aware of its responsibility for climate protection and is constantly working to improve its carbon footprint. Our carbon footprint, along with the associated targets, measures and developments, forms part of our annual sustainability statement. Our emissions are made up of the following three scopes:
Scope 1 comprises direct emissions, such as those from the fuel consumption of our vehicle fleet.
Scope 2 refers to indirect emissions from purchased energy.
Scope 3 covers all other indirect emissions along the value chain.
It is evident that over 90 per cent of our emissions originate from Scope 3 – for example, from fans’ journeys to and from matches, purchased goods and services, business travel and other external factors.
This insight motivates us to work with partners, fans and service providers to develop solutions that minimise our environmental footprint.
The key drivers for decarbonising our business operations include the electrification of processes, the transition of our heat supply from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and increasing the share of renewable energy.
Our strategically planned measures include the following:
- Installation of a battery storage system at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK
- Construction of new photovoltaic systems, including battery storage solutions, for the Dortmund-Brackel site
- Technical conversion of decentralised heating systems to electric heat pumps
- Implementation of various small-scale energy efficiency measures
- Further development of the mobility concept
- Drawing up an emissions reduction plan for the supply chain
We have already implemented the following measures:
- Commissioning of a photovoltaic system on the roof of the BVB Fanwelt
- Commissioning of a photovoltaic system on the roof of SIGNAL IDUNA PARK
- Connection of several properties to the district heating network
- Installation of heat pumps at the BVB EVONIK Football Academy
- Installation of a photovoltaic system on the roof of the BVB EVONIK Football Academy
- Ongoing installation of LED lighting for the stadium
- Analysis of Scope 3 emission categories in terms of controllability and potential for reduction
As part of our efforts to achieve a long-term and continuous reduction in our own carbon footprint, we took another important step in 2024 by becoming the first Bundesliga football club to commit to the internationally recognised Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). As a next step, in May 2026 we had our ambitious CO₂ emission reduction targets validated by the SBTi in line with the Paris Agreement.
The targets we submitted were assessed by the independent initiative – comprising the WWF, the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute and CDP – against scientifically sound and up-to-date guidelines and criteria.
Worldwide, more than 10,000 companies have already committed to science-based climate targets.
