ROOTS: One Club, Two Homelands, Thousands of Trees

Como 1907’s ROOTS project links match‑day emissions in Italy to community‑led reforestation in Central Java, turning supporters’ travel into trees with a future.

The Patiayam Hills, forming the eastern side of the Mt. Muria mountains stretch across 2,900 hectares within the Kudus and Pati Regencies of Central Java. Rising 350 meters above sea level, the area is largely dominated by annual crops and has long faced environmental challenges due to soil degradation and limited vegetation.

Reforestation efforts here are essential to restore ecological balance, improve soil and air quality, and bring renewed hope for local communities to thrive in harmony with nature.

Since 2018, local farmers have been granted rights to manage around 1,900 hectares of land under the Social Forestry Forest Utilization Permit (IPHPS) scheme, a government program by Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry that provides communities with legal access to manage forest areas. Two local Forest Farmers Groups were entrusted with these rights for 35 years, subject to review every five years. While monoculture farming had previously exhausted the soil, this initiative has opened the path to a more sustainable model.

In collaboration with these farmers, the Djarum Foundation has played a vital role in restoring the Patiayam Hills. Through a community-based approach, more than 100,000 seedlings have already been planted, engaging over 2,500 local farmers. The selected trees are chosen not only for their ecological impact but also for their economic value, offering future harvests and supporting local livelihoods. This inclusive process ensures that the reforestation effort regenerates both the land and the community that depends on it.

For Como 1907, this project carries a profound and deeply personal meaning,  one that lives within the concept of ROOTS.

ROOTS speaks to the many layers of connection that define us: the roots of a family whose origins lie near Patiayam, in Kudus, the smallest regency in Central Java, nestled between Semarang and Surabaya, along the northern coast of the Java Sea; the roots of a club deeply tied to its community and supporters in Como; and the roots of the trees that will help restore balance to the planet by offsetting the CO₂ emissions produced by fans traveling to the stadium. 

We estimated the environmental impact of Como 1907 fans traveling to home matches. Based on the average distance traveled and the most commonly used modes of transport,50% by car, 30% by public transport, 15% by scooter, and 5% on foot,the average impact per spectator is around 2.4 kg of CO₂ equivalent per match.

In total, with 12,000 fans attending the stadium, this amounts to approximately 28 tons of CO₂ emitted per game.

Como 1907 is proud to support this initiative by planting two trees for every season ticket holder for the 2025/26 campaign, contributing to a total of 13,000 new trees across the Patiayam Hills. A portion of the proceeds from season ticket sales will go directly to this reforestation effort.

This initiative forms part of Como 1907’s long-term environmental strategy, which integrates sustainability into the club’s broader vision for growth and responsibility. The ROOTS project represents a tangible step in the club’s commitment to mitigating environmental impact, promoting biodiversity, and supporting global carbon offsetting efforts. By investing in projects that generate long-term ecological and social value, Como 1907 aims to build a legacy that benefits both people and the planet, ensuring a more sustainable future for the generations to come.

For the club’s ownership, this is more than an act of environmental responsibility, it is a personal mission to give back to a land that holds deep cultural and emotional significance.Just as a tree draws strength from its roots, this initiative reflects gratitude, respect, and continuity, values that define Como 1907’s spirit of perseverance, humility, and togetherness. Through this collective dedication, each supporter contributes to a living legacy that spans continents, bringing together people, nature, and purpose, all united to root for the same team.