Insight

Fresh start

Former Arsenal and AC Milan midfielder turned eco-entrepreneur Mathieu Flamini on his new goal: tackling climate change

INTERVIEW Dan Poole | PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Bowles
Issue 08

I grew up by the sea in Marseille. Sea life became a part of my everyday life, so I became more aware of the challenges that it faces. From a very early age I’ve been aware of the impact that humans have on the environment and understood that small changes in our behaviour can make a huge difference. I decided to be part of the movement that brings the solution to such an important cause, and I started to become part of the sustainable effort around the age of 25.

We are bringing in more sustainable and safer ingredients. The chemical industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world and it is facing a large transition. My company, GFBiochemicals, is tackling the issues connected with products we use every single day. These could be personal care products, home care products or cleaning products that are having a negative effect on our health and the climate. It’s a business-to-business approach where we are replacing petrochemicals – old, obsolete molecules – with new bio-based molecules that have come from biomass, or agricultural waste.

Look at the back of the bottle – when you buy shampoo, when you buy shower gel, the ingredients are all there. We are replacing the harmful ones. You have to look for more natural formulations. Our biggest organ is the skin and when you shower every day using petrochemicals, you are putting harmful things on your body. It can have a negative impact on your health in the long run. And sometimes consumers forget: they have an enormous amount of power. Buying better is the best way to have a positive impact.

I am also looking at healthy lifestyle. We practise behaviours that are not sustainable. Nutrition, for example. I mean, in 2050, we could have more plastic in the sea than fish. The way we eat, in terms of eating more and more animal protein, is becoming a real problem for the planet. We need to eat the right way and have a balanced diet. Now, not everyone is a nature lover, but everyone cares about their health, and by becoming vegan and stopping my consumption of animal protein, I improved my on-field performance. It reduced the amount of inflammation in my body so I could recover much quicker after games and avoid illness and injury.

Héctor Bellerín is vegan and making major contributions. Arsenal too: they have made an agreement to reduce their CO2 emissions, and I believe other clubs want to follow. It is important for football to play its part, just like other industries that are transitioning.

I grew up by the sea in Marseille. Sea life became a part of my everyday life, so I became more aware of the challenges that it faces. From a very early age I’ve been aware of the impact that humans have on the environment and understood that small changes in our behaviour can make a huge difference. I decided to be part of the movement that brings the solution to such an important cause, and I started to become part of the sustainable effort around the age of 25.

We are bringing in more sustainable and safer ingredients. The chemical industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world and it is facing a large transition. My company, GFBiochemicals, is tackling the issues connected with products we use every single day. These could be personal care products, home care products or cleaning products that are having a negative effect on our health and the climate. It’s a business-to-business approach where we are replacing petrochemicals – old, obsolete molecules – with new bio-based molecules that have come from biomass, or agricultural waste.

Look at the back of the bottle – when you buy shampoo, when you buy shower gel, the ingredients are all there. We are replacing the harmful ones. You have to look for more natural formulations. Our biggest organ is the skin and when you shower every day using petrochemicals, you are putting harmful things on your body. It can have a negative impact on your health in the long run. And sometimes consumers forget: they have an enormous amount of power. Buying better is the best way to have a positive impact.

I am also looking at healthy lifestyle. We practise behaviours that are not sustainable. Nutrition, for example. I mean, in 2050, we could have more plastic in the sea than fish. The way we eat, in terms of eating more and more animal protein, is becoming a real problem for the planet. We need to eat the right way and have a balanced diet. Now, not everyone is a nature lover, but everyone cares about their health, and by becoming vegan and stopping my consumption of animal protein, I improved my on-field performance. It reduced the amount of inflammation in my body so I could recover much quicker after games and avoid illness and injury.

Héctor Bellerín is vegan and making major contributions. Arsenal too: they have made an agreement to reduce their CO2 emissions, and I believe other clubs want to follow. It is important for football to play its part, just like other industries that are transitioning.

Read the full story
Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

I support UEFA’s Cleaner Air, Better Game campaign. I’m very proud that they are joining the global effort to tackle climate change. UEFA is followed by millions of people, young kids, and they have to take the lead regarding sustainability; they have a platform and a role to play in terms of social responsibility. I’m really pleased that they have started on a journey to communicate and do things better.

Football is a sport that is played outdoors. In some countries you can’t even exercise outdoors anymore because of the impact that pollution has been having. You can’t even see the sun. So, obviously, we have to protect the sport we love so much and we also have to make sure that playing football outdoors does not become a luxury. As a sport lover, most of what I do is outdoors and when I finish, I feel energised not only physically but mentally; it is a great opportunity for me to clear my mind. So the idea of not being able to train outdoors is unimaginable.

Football players have become superheroes. More than just playing football, they can create a legacy – an athlete’s legacy. And my message to all football players out there is this: don’t be scared of speaking anymore. Don’t be scared of using your voice; don’t be scared of standing up for your beliefs and what you want to change.

We have to provide solutions, not just tell people to stop doing something. Getting to the stadium using bicycles, or public transport, are things you can do. Eating healthier food at the ground too – there are more vegetarian and vegan options available now. Or making stadiums plastic-free environments. These are the little changes that can be applied in everyday life and make the difference. It is about small wins every day; we need to believe our contributions are meaningful for the environment, that they can have a big impact.

Football has a great opportunity to drive change. It is a passionate game and with such a major issue as climate change, it is about inspiring people. Football has the power to unite people. Football is about emotion, it’s about love, and it can create global awareness.

I grew up by the sea in Marseille. Sea life became a part of my everyday life, so I became more aware of the challenges that it faces. From a very early age I’ve been aware of the impact that humans have on the environment and understood that small changes in our behaviour can make a huge difference. I decided to be part of the movement that brings the solution to such an important cause, and I started to become part of the sustainable effort around the age of 25.

We are bringing in more sustainable and safer ingredients. The chemical industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world and it is facing a large transition. My company, GFBiochemicals, is tackling the issues connected with products we use every single day. These could be personal care products, home care products or cleaning products that are having a negative effect on our health and the climate. It’s a business-to-business approach where we are replacing petrochemicals – old, obsolete molecules – with new bio-based molecules that have come from biomass, or agricultural waste.

Look at the back of the bottle – when you buy shampoo, when you buy shower gel, the ingredients are all there. We are replacing the harmful ones. You have to look for more natural formulations. Our biggest organ is the skin and when you shower every day using petrochemicals, you are putting harmful things on your body. It can have a negative impact on your health in the long run. And sometimes consumers forget: they have an enormous amount of power. Buying better is the best way to have a positive impact.

I am also looking at healthy lifestyle. We practise behaviours that are not sustainable. Nutrition, for example. I mean, in 2050, we could have more plastic in the sea than fish. The way we eat, in terms of eating more and more animal protein, is becoming a real problem for the planet. We need to eat the right way and have a balanced diet. Now, not everyone is a nature lover, but everyone cares about their health, and by becoming vegan and stopping my consumption of animal protein, I improved my on-field performance. It reduced the amount of inflammation in my body so I could recover much quicker after games and avoid illness and injury.

Héctor Bellerín is vegan and making major contributions. Arsenal too: they have made an agreement to reduce their CO2 emissions, and I believe other clubs want to follow. It is important for football to play its part, just like other industries that are transitioning.

Insight

Fresh start

Former Arsenal and AC Milan midfielder turned eco-entrepreneur Mathieu Flamini on his new goal: tackling climate change

INTERVIEW Dan Poole | PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Bowles

Text Link

I grew up by the sea in Marseille. Sea life became a part of my everyday life, so I became more aware of the challenges that it faces. From a very early age I’ve been aware of the impact that humans have on the environment and understood that small changes in our behaviour can make a huge difference. I decided to be part of the movement that brings the solution to such an important cause, and I started to become part of the sustainable effort around the age of 25.

We are bringing in more sustainable and safer ingredients. The chemical industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world and it is facing a large transition. My company, GFBiochemicals, is tackling the issues connected with products we use every single day. These could be personal care products, home care products or cleaning products that are having a negative effect on our health and the climate. It’s a business-to-business approach where we are replacing petrochemicals – old, obsolete molecules – with new bio-based molecules that have come from biomass, or agricultural waste.

Look at the back of the bottle – when you buy shampoo, when you buy shower gel, the ingredients are all there. We are replacing the harmful ones. You have to look for more natural formulations. Our biggest organ is the skin and when you shower every day using petrochemicals, you are putting harmful things on your body. It can have a negative impact on your health in the long run. And sometimes consumers forget: they have an enormous amount of power. Buying better is the best way to have a positive impact.

I am also looking at healthy lifestyle. We practise behaviours that are not sustainable. Nutrition, for example. I mean, in 2050, we could have more plastic in the sea than fish. The way we eat, in terms of eating more and more animal protein, is becoming a real problem for the planet. We need to eat the right way and have a balanced diet. Now, not everyone is a nature lover, but everyone cares about their health, and by becoming vegan and stopping my consumption of animal protein, I improved my on-field performance. It reduced the amount of inflammation in my body so I could recover much quicker after games and avoid illness and injury.

Héctor Bellerín is vegan and making major contributions. Arsenal too: they have made an agreement to reduce their CO2 emissions, and I believe other clubs want to follow. It is important for football to play its part, just like other industries that are transitioning.

I grew up by the sea in Marseille. Sea life became a part of my everyday life, so I became more aware of the challenges that it faces. From a very early age I’ve been aware of the impact that humans have on the environment and understood that small changes in our behaviour can make a huge difference. I decided to be part of the movement that brings the solution to such an important cause, and I started to become part of the sustainable effort around the age of 25.

We are bringing in more sustainable and safer ingredients. The chemical industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world and it is facing a large transition. My company, GFBiochemicals, is tackling the issues connected with products we use every single day. These could be personal care products, home care products or cleaning products that are having a negative effect on our health and the climate. It’s a business-to-business approach where we are replacing petrochemicals – old, obsolete molecules – with new bio-based molecules that have come from biomass, or agricultural waste.

Look at the back of the bottle – when you buy shampoo, when you buy shower gel, the ingredients are all there. We are replacing the harmful ones. You have to look for more natural formulations. Our biggest organ is the skin and when you shower every day using petrochemicals, you are putting harmful things on your body. It can have a negative impact on your health in the long run. And sometimes consumers forget: they have an enormous amount of power. Buying better is the best way to have a positive impact.

I am also looking at healthy lifestyle. We practise behaviours that are not sustainable. Nutrition, for example. I mean, in 2050, we could have more plastic in the sea than fish. The way we eat, in terms of eating more and more animal protein, is becoming a real problem for the planet. We need to eat the right way and have a balanced diet. Now, not everyone is a nature lover, but everyone cares about their health, and by becoming vegan and stopping my consumption of animal protein, I improved my on-field performance. It reduced the amount of inflammation in my body so I could recover much quicker after games and avoid illness and injury.

Héctor Bellerín is vegan and making major contributions. Arsenal too: they have made an agreement to reduce their CO2 emissions, and I believe other clubs want to follow. It is important for football to play its part, just like other industries that are transitioning.

Read the full story
Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

I support UEFA’s Cleaner Air, Better Game campaign. I’m very proud that they are joining the global effort to tackle climate change. UEFA is followed by millions of people, young kids, and they have to take the lead regarding sustainability; they have a platform and a role to play in terms of social responsibility. I’m really pleased that they have started on a journey to communicate and do things better.

Football is a sport that is played outdoors. In some countries you can’t even exercise outdoors anymore because of the impact that pollution has been having. You can’t even see the sun. So, obviously, we have to protect the sport we love so much and we also have to make sure that playing football outdoors does not become a luxury. As a sport lover, most of what I do is outdoors and when I finish, I feel energised not only physically but mentally; it is a great opportunity for me to clear my mind. So the idea of not being able to train outdoors is unimaginable.

Football players have become superheroes. More than just playing football, they can create a legacy – an athlete’s legacy. And my message to all football players out there is this: don’t be scared of speaking anymore. Don’t be scared of using your voice; don’t be scared of standing up for your beliefs and what you want to change.

We have to provide solutions, not just tell people to stop doing something. Getting to the stadium using bicycles, or public transport, are things you can do. Eating healthier food at the ground too – there are more vegetarian and vegan options available now. Or making stadiums plastic-free environments. These are the little changes that can be applied in everyday life and make the difference. It is about small wins every day; we need to believe our contributions are meaningful for the environment, that they can have a big impact.

Football has a great opportunity to drive change. It is a passionate game and with such a major issue as climate change, it is about inspiring people. Football has the power to unite people. Football is about emotion, it’s about love, and it can create global awareness.

I grew up by the sea in Marseille. Sea life became a part of my everyday life, so I became more aware of the challenges that it faces. From a very early age I’ve been aware of the impact that humans have on the environment and understood that small changes in our behaviour can make a huge difference. I decided to be part of the movement that brings the solution to such an important cause, and I started to become part of the sustainable effort around the age of 25.

We are bringing in more sustainable and safer ingredients. The chemical industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world and it is facing a large transition. My company, GFBiochemicals, is tackling the issues connected with products we use every single day. These could be personal care products, home care products or cleaning products that are having a negative effect on our health and the climate. It’s a business-to-business approach where we are replacing petrochemicals – old, obsolete molecules – with new bio-based molecules that have come from biomass, or agricultural waste.

Look at the back of the bottle – when you buy shampoo, when you buy shower gel, the ingredients are all there. We are replacing the harmful ones. You have to look for more natural formulations. Our biggest organ is the skin and when you shower every day using petrochemicals, you are putting harmful things on your body. It can have a negative impact on your health in the long run. And sometimes consumers forget: they have an enormous amount of power. Buying better is the best way to have a positive impact.

I am also looking at healthy lifestyle. We practise behaviours that are not sustainable. Nutrition, for example. I mean, in 2050, we could have more plastic in the sea than fish. The way we eat, in terms of eating more and more animal protein, is becoming a real problem for the planet. We need to eat the right way and have a balanced diet. Now, not everyone is a nature lover, but everyone cares about their health, and by becoming vegan and stopping my consumption of animal protein, I improved my on-field performance. It reduced the amount of inflammation in my body so I could recover much quicker after games and avoid illness and injury.

Héctor Bellerín is vegan and making major contributions. Arsenal too: they have made an agreement to reduce their CO2 emissions, and I believe other clubs want to follow. It is important for football to play its part, just like other industries that are transitioning.

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