Inaugural Laureus Sport for Good Index Announced During COP26 Celebrates Role of Companies Toward Reaching UN Sustainable Development Goals
Gilbert, AZ – November 8, 2021 – Footprint, a global materials science technology company focused on creating a healthy planet, today was named one of the world’s most socially impactful brands as part of the inaugural Laureus Sport for Good Index 2021.
Launched to coincide with COP26, the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference currently being held in Glasgow, Scotland, the Sport for Good Index celebrates 29 global brands that, through collaboration, innovation and creativity, are making significant contributions across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as laid out by the United Nations. Top companies recognized along with Footprint include Microsoft, Nike, Patagonia, Athleta, Nissan, Oatly, ENGIE, Mastercard, Allianz, Barclays and more.
Determined by an independently adjudicated judging process overseen by a panel of industry experts, the purpose of the Index is to shine a light on those organizations that are having the clearest and most meaningful impact, and to provide compelling evidence for the role that sport can play in driving sustainable change.
Footprint Co-Founder and CEO Troy Swope said: “We’re honored to be recognized for the active role we’re playing to increase awareness and help businesses and consumers take action against the destructive harm of plastic on our planet and our health. We believe sports is a unique door opener, given the number of people eating and drinking while enjoying their event, to normalize life without plastic and start conversations about the future of waste. Whether it’s in the supermarket, with take-home foods or in sports venues, our goal is to make sure everyone knows there are alternatives to harmful plastic and to move the market into plant-based solutions as soon as possible.”
Footprint was named among the top companies in the technology category. Footprint signed in July, 2021 a long-term strategic partnership with the Phoenix Suns, Mercury and RCD Mallorca to educate, engage, and transform newly-named Footprint Center into a center for sustainability focused on sports and entertainment. By October 2021, Footprint’s first plant-based bowls, plates and straws began replacing single-use plastic at Footprint Center, and the company began engaging with fans and influencer ambassadors to drive a message about sustainability and how consumers can take action to impact their health and the health of the planet.
Brands featured in the Index were assessed according to a set of seven key criteria, including: (1) Each company’s impact through sports-related Corporate Social Responsible (CSR) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) activities; (2) Innovation and creativity during purpose-led campaigns; (3) Commitment to environmental, social, and corporate governance; (4) Level of investment in ‘sport for good’ causes; (5) Extent to which their sports investments align with the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); (6) Their commercial viability; (7) An overall assessment of their commitment towards building an equitable society, reducing sports’ ecological footprint, and growing the sports industry’s economy through sport-for-good campaigns.
The first-ever Laureus Sport for Good Index can be viewed and downloaded in full at www.laureussportforgoodindex.com.
About Laureus
Laureus’ purpose is to change the world through the power of sport. Its vision is to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage against young people and children. Built on a unique, end-to-end purpose platform – Laureus combines the storytelling power of its global marketing platform with the delivery of measurable social impact on the ground through its charitable foundation, Laureus Sport for Good. Working on a Global and National level, Laureus funds and supports over 230 programmes in more than 40 countries that use sport to deliver social change measured through a framework aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most credible entity of its kind, Laureus has been delivering on its purpose for over 20 years and has positively changed six million young lives to date.
About SportsPro
SportsPro is the world’s leading international media company for the sports industry in print, digital and events. Launched in 2008, SportsPro is our highly respected flagship magazine combining in-depth reporting and analysis with diverse features and top-level interviews. Since 2014 SportsPro has also hosted annual conferences across the globe providing outstanding content, access and networking opportunities to top-level executives from the leading rights holders, broadcasters and content distributors. For more information about SportsPro, or to contact a member of the team today, visit sportspromedia.com.
About Footprint
Footprint has a clear vision to create a healthier planet and healthier people. Phase one of our mission is to provide solutions that eliminate single-use and short-term use plastics in our food chain. Footprint’s team of engineers use plant-based fiber technology to design, develop and manufacture biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable products that compete with plastic’s cost and exceed its performance, keeping harmful chemicals away from consumers in materials digestible by the earth. Footprint is rapidly expanding into new categories with unique and patented solutions for customers. Footprint’s products have already led to a global redirection of 61 million pounds of plastic waste from entering the air, earth, and water working with leading global consumer brands. Footprint was founded in 2014 by former Intel engineers, Troy Swope and Yoke Chung. The company employs more than 1,500 employees, with operations in the U.S., Mexicali, Europe, and Asia. Footprint was named to the 2020 Fortune “Change the World” list in 2020, is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Innovators Community and was named a CNBC Disruptor 50 company in 2021.