by Sofia Wong
On the 21st November, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar began with its spectacular opening ceremony, and the exhilarating match between Ecuador and Qatar.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), the world’s governing body for soccer, announced that the 2022 World Cup is the first-ever carbon-neutral World Cup as they have implemented strategies to ‘offset all greenhouse gas emissions, while advancing low-carbon solutions in Qatar and the region’. However, controversies soon arose as global environmental groups believed that this major football event is ‘greenwashing’, predicting that it would cause more detrimental environmental impacts than claimed.
What are the sustainability strategies for the 2022 World Cup?
According to the official website of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the sustainability strategies are implemented through a four-step process: awareness, measurement, reduction and offsetting. Qatar built 8 stadiums with energy-saving technology, installed renewable energy facilities in parking lots and stadiums, and planted local tree species on a large scale to combat desertification. It also attempted to convert sewage for irrigation purposes, and has developed the Doha Metro. This provides tourists with an alternative transportation to driving private vehicles. These strategies aim to reduce carbon emissions, they seem idyllic but the reality is quite the opposite. Critics stated that carbon emissions from this global event are being underestimated, and the measures are ineffective.
The Controversies
A report published by Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in June 2021 estimated that the preparation and follow-up activities for the 2022 Qatar World Cup from 2011 to 2023 would emit 3.6 million tons of carbon overall, which is 70% more than the previous World Cup in Russia (2.1 million tons). The total emission is also estimated to be more than many countries’ (such as Iceland and the Democratic Republic of Congo) annual emissions. Some experts criticised, “If we only focus on the four-week event period, Qatar does have the resources and willingness to keep the World Cup “carbon neutral”. However, it is difficult considering that it has taken over 12 years of preparation. During this period, measures were insufficient to offset carbon or reduce environmental damage.”
Moreover, the insufficient amount of accommodation for football fans leads to an increase in carbon emissions through a surge in flights, breaking the pledge of carbon neutrality. The country has tried to minimise carbon emissions produced by transportation through locating the 8 stadiums closely (within a radius of 55 kilometres). However, despite the construction of a temporary fan village, it would still be difficult to receive approximately 1.2 million visiting fans during the finals. As a result, local airlines have arranged about 500 “connecting flights” per day to and from cities such as Dubai, generating large amounts of greenhouse gases.
To welcome a truly sustainable future it is crucial that we reject the greenwashing of sports events, and promote real carbon neutrality in sports. Qatar’s actions are therefore questionable. Are their strategies truly enough to offset the carbon emissions they are producing?
