On the basis of the club’s sporting and economic success, BVB accepts its responsibility – closely tied to Dortmund and the Ruhr area – and recognises sustainable development as an overall guiding principle.
“One of our most important topics,” said chief executive officer Hans-Joachim Watzke as he addressed Borussia Dortmund’s sustainable development at the press conference for the 2019 report. On the basis of the club’s sporting and economic success, BVB accepts its responsibility – closely tied to Dortmund and the Ruhr area – and recognises sustainable development as an overall guiding principle.
This means acting in such a way that the needs of the present are met without restricting the opportunities of future generations. The three dimensions of sustainability are considered equally important: economic efficiency, social justice and ecological viability. The steps taken by BVB to achieve this in the 2019/2020 season are now outlined in the fourth sustainability report.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges for BVB and for football as a whole, and its far-reaching effects will be felt for some time to come. The report takes this into account. Firstly, the report outlines the Coronavirus-related “emergency measures”, highlighting the core areas of focus as well as the impressive fan solidarity with the club and the city and its surroundings. What is more, the report presents BVB’s sustainable development, which has consistently been pursued in spite of the external strains.
The social and economic challenges posed by the global pandemic have shaken professional football to its foundations. The interruption of the season, so-called “ghost games” played without fans in the stadium and the as-of-yet undetermined return to normality pose a serious existential threat to an industry with over 56,000 employees.
From the start of the pandemic, Borussia Dortmund has focused primarily on assuming responsibility for its own employees and ensuring that the basis for all clubs to remain competitive is kept intact. As a result of responsible management in recent years, BVB has the economic foundation to survive the crisis – despite a substantial net loss this year – without having to resort to reduced hours for employees.
#Borussiaverbindet: BVB forms an unbelievably strong and united community! Find out how this has been upheld in these times of crisis by reading the current Borussia Dortmund sustainability report, which can be accessed at: https://verantwortung.bvb.de
