Istanbul hosted the 4th Climate and Sustainability Summit on 27 October 2026 at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, focusing on green transition strategies and preparations for the UN’s upcoming COP31 climate change conference in Antalya.
 
Uğur Fora, Secretary General of Beşiktaş, delivered a speech at the summit—focusing on the major and mega-sporting events that Turkiye is set to host over the next decade. The summit explored the intersection between the COP31 process and the climate agenda of Turkish sports, the sustainability transformation of the sports ecosystem, and the roles that various stakeholders can play in this transition. In his address, Fora stated the following:
 
"When discussing the future of sports today, we must consider not only the competition on the field but also the value that this competition creates for the environment, society, and future generations. At Beşiktaş, we view sustainability—beyond mere periodic corporate social responsibility initiatives—as an integral component of our corporate governance philosophy and our capacity to prepare for the future. In line with the great importance our club places on this matter, a sustainability working group was established following a Board of Directors decision on January 6, 2026. We intend to soon elevate this structure into a formal committee, thereby placing our efforts on a much more comprehensive and institutional foundation.
 
Hosting major sporting events no longer means simply having a robust infrastructure; it also requires managing environmental and social responsibilities in line with international standards. At Beşiktaş, we are experiencing this firsthand. Following the 2019 UEFA Super Cup Final, we hosted the 2026 UEFA Europa League Final. In 2027, we will host the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals and the UEFA Conference League Final. It is no coincidence that Beşiktaş Tüpraş Stadium is chosen for events of this scale. Our modern infrastructure, our ability to meet UEFA’s highest standards, and our central location in Istanbul are our greatest advantages. Yet, this selection—beyond reflecting the trust placed in us—also demonstrates that sustainability in UEFA events is no longer merely an option, but a fundamental expectation. We must go beyond simply setting targets; we are required to deliver measurable results in areas such as energy, water, waste management, and fan transportation. Our goal is to transform this international experience into a lasting model for sustainable stadium management. As Türkiye prepares to host COP31, we believe that sports can serve as an example for the climate transition. For us, true success lies in creating a legacy that adds value to both the environment and the city long after these finals have concluded.
 
Today’s UEFA standards dictate not only a club’s success on the pitch but also how it is managed. Environmental responsibility and resource efficiency have become integral components of the licensing criteria. At Beşiktaş, our approach goes beyond merely meeting these minimum requirements; we are preparing for UEFA’s 2030 vision today through concrete investments. We view this not as a future necessity, but as a management responsibility for the present. At Beşiktaş Tüpraş Stadium, there are tangible examples of this in practice:
 
Renewable energy: Since 2024, we have been certifying our electricity consumption through international I-REC certificates.
 
Energy efficiency: By upgrading our field and grandstand lighting to LED systems, we have achieved a 50% reduction in electricity consumption for these purposes. In 2026, we also transitioned our illuminated signage to this technology.
 
Water storage: We collect rainwater and, following treatment, use it to irrigate our turf. This significantly reduces our reliance on precious municipal water resources, thereby supporting ecological balance. In fact, 30% of the irrigation needs for our extensive green spaces and turf are met entirely by this treated rainwater—a resource provided by nature itself.
 
Fully circular water management: Our goal is to increase the share of treated rainwater used for turf irrigation from 30% to 100% by 2032, effectively eliminating the use of municipal water for landscaping purposes across our facilities.
Waste management: We sort waste at the source and direct it toward recycling.
 
Absolute Zero Waste: By advancing our source-separation system, we aim to incorporate 100% of the waste generated at our facilities into recycling and upcycling processes, effectively eliminating any waste sent to landfills.
 
Sustainable transportation: We have installed electric vehicle charging stations at our Nevzat Demir Training Facilities and our stadium for the use of our employees and guests.
 
Independent audit: A preliminary assessment conducted by BESENVE Enerji in the summer of 2026 reported an efficiency rate of 95%. Based on these findings, we have promptly begun to enhance our energy management policies.
 
Corporate culture: Through the training programs we provide, we are transforming sustainability from a mere technical system into an integral part of our daily work habits.
 
Beşiktaş Tüpraş Stadium has a capacity of over 45,000. This means that on any given match day, we have the opportunity to influence the consumption and transportation habits of tens of thousands of people. According to UEFA data, 67% of fans attending major finals travel to the stadiums via public transport. It is clear that with the right guidance, behaviors can indeed change.
 
As Beşiktaş, we aim to amplify this impact across three key areas:
 
Transportation: By leveraging our proximity to the metro, tram, funicular, and maritime transport networks, we encourage the use of public transit on match days, thereby reducing our carbon footprint.
 
Consumption and Waste: We aim to minimize the use of single-use products on match days, implement waste segregation at the source, and increase recycling rates.
 
Communication and Engagement: Through our digital channels, we raise awareness among our fans and make it easier for them to make sustainable choices.
 
In terms of social sustainability, Beşiktaş’s greatest strength lies in the culture of solidarity it has built with its fans. While promoting equal opportunity in sports through our Women’s Football and Wheelchair Basketball teams, we also work shoulder-to-shoulder with our fans to develop impactful, socially-oriented, and sustainable projects:
 
Through our "Spread Your Wings for Good, Empower Education" campaign, we deliver functional computers and tablets to schools in need.
 
We connect with children across Anatolia to carry out educational and solidarity-based initiatives.
 
Under the banner "This Toy Is for You, My Friend," we collected toys from our stadium stands following the February 6 earthquakes and delivered them to children in Hatay.
 
We foster eco-friendly education at the Kabataş Foundation schools—recipients of the Green Flag award—and support nature conservation efforts through donations directed to the TEMA Foundation.
 
For us, sustainability means protecting nature while also positively impacting the future of individuals and society. Yet, as we discuss these ideals, we cannot ignore the current economic realities faced by our clubs. Much like in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, pressing financial concerns—such as "How will salaries be paid?" or "How can we secure the necessary debt-clearance documentation?"—can unfortunately push vital issues like climate change into the background.
 
The structural differences between our situation and the examples seen in Europe are clear. While a small-town club in Germany can generate significant broadcast revenue despite having very modest facilities, clubs in our country are forced to pursue such a vision with far more limited resources.
 
At this very juncture, it is of great importance that our state addresses the climate crisis and sustainability criteria in a more encouraging manner. For instance, redirecting a portion of the tax withholdings—currently applied to amateur athletes—back to the clubs, provided that these funds are invested in environmental and institutional sustainability, would pave the way for this ecosystem. Sustainability is not a burden that clubs should have to shoulder alone; it is a national responsibility that must be addressed through the collective wisdom of the state, federations, and all relevant stakeholders.
 
As Beşiktaş, despite all these economic pressures and structural challenges, we—along with our president, our board, and our colleagues—have taken a major step forward and initiated this transformation.
 
Naturally, this approach of ours also has a financial dimension. In our 2024–2025 Sustainability Report, published via the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP), we announced an investment expenditure of approximately 48.9 million TL directed toward climate-related risks and opportunities. With this level of investment, we stand as the club among all major sports clubs in Turkey that has made the most significant commitment to environmental sustainability. This figure covers lighting, energy infrastructure, pitch surface renewals, and the reinforcement of our facilities. In other words, we champion sustainability not merely through our stated goals, but by actively allocating resources. However, we do not view this subject solely through the lens of environmental indicators. We have placed the Beşiktaş JK Child Protection Policy at the heart of our football schools and integrated topics related to climate change into our curriculum. Our objective is to ensure that our children grow up not only as skilled athletes but also as individuals who are responsible toward the environment and society, and who develop within inclusive environments.
 
We are expanding upon the eco-friendly initiatives we have already begun—such as rainwater harvesting and waste segregation at the source—with the goal of transforming Beşiktaş into a pioneering model for sustainability by 2032. Guided by our sense of responsibility toward nature, our 2032 objectives focus on preserving ecological balance and placing the circular economy at the heart of all our operations.
 
Fully Circular Water Management: By increasing the use of treated rainwater for landscape irrigation from the current 30% to 100% by 2032, we aim to completely eliminate the use of municipal mains water for landscaping across our facilities.
 
Absolute Zero Waste: By further advancing our waste segregation-at-source system, we intend to channel 100% of the waste generated at our facilities into recycling and upcycling processes, effectively ensuring that no waste ends up in landfills.
 
Carbon-Neutral Operations: To achieve a zero-carbon footprint across all Beşiktaş facilities by complementing our circular successes in water and waste management with renewable energy projects.
 
Green Social Impact: To extend our sustainability vision beyond our own internal operations—reaching the entire Beşiktaş community and our stakeholders—thereby becoming a pioneer of an eco-friendly social movement.”