Aim high
HSV has made its stadium fit for the future, whilst always keeping sustainability in mind. A tour with those responsible for the refurbishment, which took us right up to the roof.
As an organisation, we are conscious of our environmental responsibility. Therefore, we are constantly working on opportunities to improve ourselves.
Klima
The carbon footprint of HSV Fußball AG & Co. KGaA and Hamburger Sport-Verein e.V. for the 2021/22 to 2023/24 seasons is published in the HSV Sustainability Reports for 2022/23 and 2023/24.
Energie
The introduction of the energy management system in according to DIN ISO 50001:2018 has given HSV Fußball AG & Co. KGaA an even more detailed and structured insight into the field of energy.
of HSV Fußball AG & Co. KGaA
HSV is committed to reducing its energy consumption in the long term and to improving its energy efficiency as part of a continuous improvement process. To achieve these objectives, HSV is implementing an energy management system in accordance with the DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 standard. In doing so, HSV ensures that all requirements of this standard are correctly implemented and that the processes within this energy management system, as well as energy-related performance, are continuously developed and improved.
HSV will regularly verify that
its energy data is collected regularly and that factors influencing energy consumption are identified and reviewed;
energy targets are set, implemented, reviewed and adjusted where necessary;
relevant legal obligations are taken into account;
the necessary information and resources are provided;
all staff with an impact on energy use are involved in the implementation and operation of the energy management system, and responsibilities are defined;
all staff are able to participate actively through comprehensive communication and documentation of the energy management system across all levels;
programmes promoting energy efficiency are properly introduced and implemented;
whenever possible, preference is given to products and services that enable an improvement in energy performance;
the results are measured and reviewed through regular audits.
HSV sources its electricity exclusively from renewable energy sources, backed by guarantees of origin. Since early 2023, Shell has been supplying HSV with green electricity as part of a partnership. Until the end of 2023, this green electricity was also certified under the RenewablePLUS label.
HSV is constantly working on measures to reduce energy consumption. In light of the energy crisis, further potential savings were identified in autumn 2022 and corresponding energy-saving measures were implemented.
On the roof of the Alexander Otto Academy on the HSV campus, solar panels provide environmentally friendly electricity, covering around 20 per cent of the annual demand. The comprehensive LED lighting system in the Alexander Otto Academy is controlled by natural light. Presence detectors are also used.
HSV took part in Earth Hour on the 23rd of March 2024 from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm. During this global hour of action for environmental and climate protection, non-safety-related lighting at the Volksparkstadion and the Alexander-Otto-Akademie was switched off, thereby reducing energy consumption.
HSV has made its stadium fit for the future, whilst always keeping sustainability in mind. A tour with those responsible for the refurbishment, which took us right up to the roof.
HSV Fußball AG & Co. KGaA committed to the responsible use of energy for some time now. These efforts have now been consolidated into the energy management system, which was successfully certified to DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 in June 2025.
HSV has made its stadium fit for the future, whilst always keeping sustainability in mind. A tour with those responsible for the refurbishment, which took us right up to the roof.
HSV Fußball AG & Co. KGaA committed to the responsible use of energy for some time now. These efforts have now been consolidated into the energy management system, which was successfully certified to DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 in June 2025.
greenkeeping
A passion for the pitch
Head greenkeeper Christoph Strachwitz is a perfectionist when it comes to pitches. Using state-of-the-art technology, he ensures the HSV’s pitches are a lush green whilst also conserving resources such as energy and water. A tour.
recycling
Extra time for stadium seats
HSV has given discarded seat shells a new lease of life. These now serve as recycled benches in the press conference room at the Volksparkstadion.
mobilität
Fan mobility is the main driver of emissions in the carbon footprint of HSV Fußball AG & Co. KGaA.
To promote environmentally friendly travel, a public ticket for HSV home matches entitles the holder to use local public transport within the Hamburg Transport Association.
There is a StadtRAD station right next to the Volksparkstadion (on the corner of Uwe-Seeler-Allee and Schnackenburgallee).
For those who wish to travel by car but still want to make their journey more environmentally friendly, carpooling is recommended. One option is the Bundesliga carpooling portal, where HSV fans can offer or search for lifts to the HSV first-team’s home and away matches. The portal is free to use and offers a great way to meet other HSV fans whilst saving on fuel costs and reducing CO₂ emissions. Together – right from the start of the journey!
During the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, CO₂ emissions were also taken into account when choosing the means of transport for the first team’s away trips to their matches in the 2. Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal. By providing financial support for climate protection projects in India, HSV enabled emissions savings equivalent to the calculated emissions from the team’s travel. Further information is available here on the ClimatePartner website.
Fans have a decisive influence on the club’s environmental and social development. An interview with Sven Freese, head of the Supporters’ Club (SC).
Travelling to the home match by public transport: a low-emission journey and an extra sense of community on match day.
Fans have a decisive influence on the club’s environmental and social development. An interview with Sven Freese, head of the Supporters’ Club (SC).
Travelling to the home match by public transport: a low-emission journey and an extra sense of community on match day.
Merchandising
Certifications and projects
As part of the “From the Field to the Fan Shop” initiative, HSV is supporting farmers in India in switching to the cultivation of organic cotton. Packaging material is being reduced step by step for shipments between shops and to your home: textiles are packed in paper postal bags or plastic bags made from waste plastic, which is thereby returned to the recycling cycle.
On 7 December 2021, cum ratione gGmbH published the second edition of its study “Club Rankings – How Fair Are Their Shops?”. HSV came third in the study as the highest-ranked newcomer.
Deliveries from our online fan shop are always sent via DHL GoGreen.
The joint initiative by HSV, seven other clubs, BRANDS Fashion, Fairtrade Germany, GIZ and the BMZ received an award in the ‘Project Partnerships’ category.
The HSV fan shops stock hundreds of items, an increasing number of which are certified with sustainability labels. A conversation with Sascha Steinbrück, Head of Merchandising at HSV, about the club’s commitment to sustainability and the challenges involved.
As part of the 2024/25 double ascent, HSV has added the certified promotion T-shirt to its product range. This T-shirt forms part of HSV’s forward-looking approach to merchandising – taking it step by step towards a new normal.
HSV offers fan merchandise certified with sustainability labels – including an HSV-blue baby bodysuit featuring the diamond logo. A journey from its origins in the Indian cotton fields to the finished product in the HSV fan shops.
During the 2023/24 season, HSV welcomed a new addition outside the transfer window: plastic envelopes made from recycled plastic.
In January 2025, an HSV delegation travelled to India once again to assess in person the progress of the ‘From the Pitch to the Fanshop’ initiative and to mark the start of the next phase of the project.
As part of the 2024/25 double ascent, HSV has added the certified promotion T-shirt to its product range. This T-shirt forms part of HSV’s forward-looking approach to merchandising – taking it step by step towards a new normal.
HSV offers fan merchandise certified with sustainability labels – including an HSV-blue baby bodysuit featuring the diamond logo. A journey from its origins in the Indian cotton fields to the finished product in the HSV fan shops.
During the 2023/24 season, HSV welcomed a new addition outside the transfer window: plastic envelopes made from recycled plastic.
In January 2025, an HSV delegation travelled to India once again to assess in person the progress of the ‘From the Pitch to the Fanshop’ initiative and to mark the start of the next phase of the project.
catering
For the 2021/22 season, HSV has introduced a reusable cup scheme for serving drinks in the public areas of the Volksparkstadion and, together with its catering partner Aramark, is implementing a comprehensive solution. The reusable cups are made of polypropylene (BPA-free), were manufactured in Germany and are recyclable. After use, the cups are washed in the immediate vicinity of the Volksparkstadion to keep transport distances – and thus CO₂ emissions – to a minimum.
At the Volksparkstadion, vegan food is available from kiosks beneath Block 10B (Kiosks 23 and 22a) and from a kiosk in Section A of the South Stand next to the away supporters’ section (Kiosk S02). At Kiosk South 23, you can find vegan bratwurst and currywurst, vegan pretzels, as well as a changing selection of items such as fruit or salad cups, crisps, smoothies and wraps. The vegan stadium sausage from Rügenwalder Mühle is also available here. Kiosk East 22a is a ‘pretzel shop’ selling vegan pretzel products with toppings such as pumpkin seeds, chilli flakes and much more. Kiosk S02 also offers vegan bratwurst, currywurst and pretzel products. Rügenwalder Mühle has opened its first ‘Vurstbude’ in the family stand at the Volksparkstadion, serving the vegan Bundesliga bratwurst.
HSV is a partner in the ‘aufgefangen’ initiative, through which Hamburg-based businesses, organisations and institutions, together with the Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection, are pooling their efforts to reduce food waste and ensure the sustainable use of food.
A reusable cup scheme, which was introduced for the 2021/22 season, is being used for serving drinks in the public areas of the Volksparkstadion.
At home matches at the Volksparkstadion, there are often leftovers at the food stalls in the public area. To make the best possible use of bread rolls, pretzels and the like, HSV is working with the food-rescuers at Foodsharing e.V. And this is an important step towards managing food even more effectively at the stadium.
A reusable cup scheme, which was introduced for the 2021/22 season, is being used for serving drinks in the public areas of the Volksparkstadion.
At home matches at the Volksparkstadion, there are often leftovers at the food stalls in the public area. To make the best possible use of bread rolls, pretzels and the like, HSV is working with the food-rescuers at Foodsharing e.V. And this is an important step towards managing food even more effectively at the stadium.