News Lifestyle Fifa ups its sustainability game The governing body of world football updates its sustainability policy for the world cup by including changing certain norms for green stadiums, waste management and recycling. The tournament has been taking climate friendly measures ever since the 2006 event in Germany. Image: jarmoluk via Pixabay https://www.eco-business.com/news/fifa-ups-its-sustainability-game/ Copy Down to Earth 3 minute read June 12, 2018 The 2018 Fifa World Cup is set to kick off in Russia from June 14. As a preparatory measure, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa), the governing body of world football, has released certain updates to its sustainability policy for the month-long tournament. Ever since the Sydney Olympics in 2000, all major sporting events have been releasing environmental frameworks and policies set to make up for the carbon footprint released by the events. The updates chronicle certain sections such as green stadiums, waste management and recycling and climate change and climate action, in addition to host city environmental measures. The green stadiums initiative—introduced for the first time at the 2018 WC—refers to a ‘green certification’, meaning the construction of the stadium in consideration was undertaken in adherence with international green standards. These standards include energy conservation through alternative heating and lighting procedures, usage of water-saving technology at stadiums during matches and tree plantations in relevant areas. As of May 2018, all host stadiums in Russia have been successfully certified under this scheme by ‘RUSO The Football Stadiums’. The Russian Railways has also expanded on its transportation network and partnered with Fifa as an Official European Supporter. The railways have invited fans to use 728 additional trains on 31 routes ferrying them between 11 host cities for free. This is in a bid to minimise the overall carbon footprint generated by the tournament. In terms of waste management, the organisers have been collecting recyclable items from all World Cup related events. From 2017’s Confederations Cup, about 87.9 tonnes of such items were segregated and recycled. The updates include a separate waste management policy which specifies the origin of waste and thereby classifies ways of dealing with it. However, it is important to take into stock past progresses at the event to wholly evaluate the current policy. The tournament has been taking climate friendly measures ever since the 2006 event in Germany—wherein ticket sales were incorporated within the public transportation system. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil was termed, “Copa Verde” (The Green Cup)—as it was held in the home of the Amazon. However, despite being touted as the greenest cup ever, the event was met with extreme criticism for being both environmentally and socially unsustainable—with increased fossil fuel usage and blatant exploitation of local communities and labour laws. Audits peg the expected greenhouse emissions from the event at 2.1 million carbon dioxide equivalents. Among the major contributors to these emissions is international travel. The event organisers have also set up crowdsourcing strategies to keep this at a minimum. With a recently launched carbon offset campaign, the governing body vowed to offset 2.9 tonnes of CO2 for every signature it receives. As a bonus, all fans signing up for the same are automatically registered in a lucky draw—2 of who will receive fully sponsored tickets and travel to the Moscow. After the Pyeongchang Winter Games in January, it will be particularly interesting to see if the biggest single-sport event in the world lives up to its tall claims regarding environmental sustainability. This story was published with permission from Down to Earth. Did you find this article useful? Help us keep our journalism free to read. We have a team of journalists dedicated to providing independent, well-researched stories from around the region on the topics that matter to you. Consider supporting our brand of purposeful journalism with a donation and keep Eco-Business free for all to read. Thank you. Find out more and join The EB Circle → Find out more and join The EB Circle → Related to this storyTopicsCSRLifestyleWasteRegionsGlobalSouth KoreaTagsactivismcarbon footprintemissionsfossil fuelswaste Most popular News / Energy Explainer: the many shades of hydrogen Is it the more colours the merrier, or will there be one too many kinks in the race … Explainer: the many shades of hydrogen News / Policy & Finance 24 hours with… human rights lawyer Justine Nolan Starting the day with an ocean swim, the Australian human rights lawyer and educator spends much of her … 24 hours with... human rights lawyer Justine Nolan News / Lifestyle 22 ways to live better in 2022 Leading a more sustainable lifestyle is often fraught with controversy and contradictions, and tackling big problems like climate … 22 ways to live better in 2022 Opinion / Energy Seabed mining equity dilemmas in the Pacific Seabed mining can affect fisheries and the flow-on social equity issues need to be addressed. Seabed mining equity dilemmas in the Pacific Opinion / Carbon & Climate Oil giant Exxon Mobil pledges net-zero carbon emissions from operations by 2050 Texas-based oil giant Exxon Mobil is the latest to join the slew of corporate net-zero pledges by 2050, … Oil giant Exxon Mobil pledges net-zero carbon emissions from operations by 2050 News / Waste Management As world goes under plastic waste, UN to hammer out global treaty After years of largely neglecting the buildup of plastic waste in Earth’s environment, the UN Environment Assembly will … As world goes under plastic waste, UN to hammer out global treaty Featured Events Global The Liveability Challenge 2022 14 Jan 2022 • Awards The Liveability Challenge 2022 Asia Pacific Rethinking Rice: Climate-smart innovations for farmers, ecosystems and value chains 24 Feb 2022 • Virtual Event Rethinking Rice: Climate-smart innovations for farmers, ecosystems and value chains Rotterdam World Hydrogen 2022 Summit & Exhibition 8 Mar 2022 • Awards World Hydrogen 2022 Summit & Exhibition New York Reuters Events: Responsible Business USA 2022 19 Apr 2022 • Conference Reuters Events: Responsible Business USA 2022 Sydney Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition 2022 4 May 2022 • Conference Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition 2022 Singapore Geo Connect Asia 1 Jun 2022 • Community Geo Connect Asia Publish your event