The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be a benchmark for sustainability and carbon neutrality through the implementation of a slew of measures, ranging from sustainable stadiums to eco-friendly transportation.
This was highlighted by Bodour al-Meer, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC)'s Sustainability director, during a global virtual event held yesterday to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) 2022 by the United Nations (UN).
Speaking on the 'Role of sport in combating climate change', al-Meer said Qatar considered the potential impact on the environment while designing the World Cup stadiums and planning the mega event. “Climate modeling was conducted to identify temperatures in 2022 and to assess other climate change impacts. Infrastructure and cooling systems were set up while making sure that our stadiums are ready for the future,” she noted.
Hosted by UN Under-Secretary-General Melissa Fleming, the programme featured remarks from high-level UN officials and signatories of UN Climate Action frameworks. It was also attended by HE Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN, ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani.
Asked about the measures to curb carbon emissions, al-Meer said Qatar has made all efforts to become a role model in fighting climate change while hosting the World Cup. “We have all eyes on us. We have to set a benchmark and be a role model in this regard. We are responsible and do the right things through mitigating and implementing our offset programmes. We have worked hard to build environmentally friendly stadiums," she said, explaining that these stadiums are 30% more energy-efficient than international benchmarks and use 40% less water than international standards.
Further, al-Meer noted that Qatar has worked with all its stakeholders to lower carbon emissions. “We have worked with our energy, accommodation, logistics and catering partners while supporting and encouraging them and partnering their journey to lower carbon emissions,” she said.
The SC official stressed that all concerned have to play their role in this regarding while attending the World Cup. “Environmental sustainability is an equal responsibility. And it starts with small things. Fans and audiences have to play a big part in this regard by using recyclable water bottles, making use of the Metro and using environmentally friendly scooters and bicycles for transportation,” she said.
On her part, HE Sheikha Alya noted that Qatar is committed to delivering the first carbon-neutral World Cup. “The urgency for climate action is felt everywhere. Sport is another tool to address climate change,” she said, adding that Qatar has been investing heavily to make the World Cup carbon-neutral.
“We maintain this aspect while delivering energy-efficient stadiums, providing a low-emission transportation system, having plastic neutrality and dealing with waste management. All these show how important it is for us to make the World Cup really address climate change,” she said and gave the example of Stadium 974 in Doha, which was built using shipping containers and recycled steel.
