The Brisbane Lions will announce a bold commitment to tackling climate change head-on at their Grand Final Eve Gala - by partnering with State Governments in Queensland and Victoria, and leading organisations Climate Friendly and The Climate Group - to be a catalyst for positive environmental change in the community.

The Lions are hoping to use the power and passion of sport to encourage more people to replace old harmful habits and introduce new simple ideas that reduce their carbon emissions and environmental impact - starting with its own members and supporters.

Chief Executive Michael Bowers will partner the Club's Football Department as role models with the combined expertise of Queensland's Environmental Protection Agency; the Victorian Government's Sustainability Victoria agency; plus industry experts Climate Friendly and The Climate Group; so that all Lions fans will think 'green' each time they think about their maroon, blue and gold team.

"Everyone knows the sports sector now operates in the arena of corporate and social responsibility - it's no longer enough for clubs just to appease fans with a successful win / loss ratio," Mr Bowers said.

"Our members and supporters want to feel good about belonging to this Club because we have good people performing good works in their local community, not just on the footy field. They want us to give back to their community for the finances and support we receive from them."

"For the Lions, this has meant fighting our national obesity epidemic by promoting active lifestyles, healthy eating and general well-being. Now it means acting locally and thinking globally about contributing to saving the planet one member and supporter at a time."

"I'm incredibly proud and excited to be forging links with the Queensland and Victorian State Governments, Climate Friendly and The Climate Group for the real difference we can make. With their green knowledge and our competitive passion - it should be a powerful carbon-fighting combination."

The Lions will pledge their environmental commitment to a distinguished audience of VIP Government and industry representatives - alongside members and supporters, this Friday night at their Grand Final Eve Gala at the Melbourne Convention Centre.

It will mark the result of months of planning by Lions senior management to developing a long-term blueprint titled Building and Sustaining Community which involves showing Lion Hearted Leadership in the fields of Tackling Climate Change and Promoting Health and Well-Being.

With global warming reaching the top of the national agenda, the Lions have decided now is the time to act by building a climate change network with like-minded organisations and tackling its own carbon emissions.

"We've begun working with Climate Friendly to calculate our own carbon footprint, starting with the Lions Grand Final Eve Gala in Melbourne. It will generate 380 equivalent tonnes of carbon via our guests' return flights, overnight accommodation, venue power usage, staging requirements, food and catering waste - even washing the dishes," Mr Bowers said.

"By collaborating with Climate Friendly, the Lions have now purchased the renewable energy carbon credits required to offset the estimated emissions from our Gala event."

"It's an important and practical first step and we hope other organisations follow suit. Our next step is to review the rest of our daily operations and create a long-term emissions strategy with our climate partners' knowledge and support."

The Club hopes their extensive network of members and supporters will catch the 'green fever' with Club incentives to save money and their local environment by reducing their carbon footprint.

THE BRISBANE LIONS TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE NETWORK

Freddy Sharpe
Chief Executive Officer
Climate Friendly
Climate Friendly is pleased to be associated with this year's Grand Final Eve Gala Auction. Venue electricity will be sourced from 100% Australian GreenPower and emissions from guest flights, food, waste, paper and driving are being offset through investment in high quality independently verified renewable energy carbon credits. The Lions investment supports the development of new wind farms which replace fossil fuel power generation and effectively keep carbon in the ground.

In addition to minimising the impact of this event, The Lions are working with Climate Friendly to measure the carbon footprint of the entire operation which will inform a new long term greenhouse emission reduction strategy. Although the Lions are not a major greenhouse polluter, we believe they're in an ideal position to demonstrate leadership and promote awareness of this critical issue to the wider community.

Rupert Posner
Director, Australia
The Climate Group
The Brisbane Lions are to be congratulated for their leadership on climate change. This is the biggest issue facing the planet and we are only going to be successful in combating it if all sections of the community work together. The Lions have a huge fan base and by engaging their supporters on this issue they can make a real difference. The Climate Group is impressed by the commitment that the Brisbane Lions have shown and their desire to be to be part of the solution. We look forward to working with them on this important issue.

The Hon. Andrew McNamara
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change & Innovation
Queensland State Government
Tackling climate change is a challenge we must face as a community and
the Lions are to be congratulated for harnessing their tremendous
Australia-wide support.

The Lions' leadership will help to show everyday Australians that they
can make a difference. Their commitment to provide opportunities for members of the Lions community to act on climate change is far-sighted and commendable.

The Hon. Gavin Jennings
Minister for the Environment, Climate Change & Innovation
Victorian State Government
I congratulate the Lions for not only recognising the importance of environmental sustainability to the future of our community, but more importantly for having the courage to take a leadership role. Football clubs like the Lions have the ability to inspire people and it's great that they want to make a difference for the environment and the community.

The threat posed by climate change is a challenge to us all, and we need to harness the skills and enthusiasm of the entire community if we are going to make the changes that must be made.

Governments have a crucial role to play, but we aren't the whole story. We need organisations that have strong links to their local communities to play their part and demonstrate what can be achieved. The Brisbane Lions are just such an organisation, and I look forward to the important contribution that they will make to this national effort.