Green Goals: Hosting a Greener FIFA World Cup for a Sustainable Future

Is the FIFA World Cup Doing Enough to Address Climate Change?

The Environmental Impact of Sports-Mega Events

The FIFA World Cup, as the premier international competition of the world’s most popular sport, attracts an astounding number of viewers and generates immense excitement around the globe. However, as the world grapples with the realities of climate change, it is crucial to reassess the environmental impact of such sports-mega events. In a new era marked by heat domes, atmospheric rivers, flooding, ocean warming, Antarctic ice melt, and wildfires, the World Cup must adapt to become more environmentally sustainable and address the pressing issue of climate change.

Respected soccer historian and climate change advocate David Goldblatt captures the dilemma that the World Cup poses. He refers to the quadrennial festival as “an extraordinary cosmopolitan celebration, which is a precious thing in a globalized and divided world.” Past World Cups have created unforgettable memories for fans, but the environmental cost cannot be overlooked. For instance, the 2022 Men’s World Cup is estimated to have contributed a staggering 3.6 million tons of CO2 to the atmosphere, highlighting the urgent need for action.

Taking Steps Towards Environmental Sustainability

To ensure a sustainable future for global soccer, the World Cup must adapt to the new reality of climate change. One crucial step would be to incorporate environmental criteria, including carbon audits, into the host nation bidding process. By working with expert sustainability consultants, FIFA can determine the most environmentally friendly hosting options, emphasizing countries with existing infrastructure and good public transport connections between host cities. This approach would not only avoid unnecessary building projects but also promote sustainable transportation between games.

It is important to note that this does not mean excluding developing nations from hosting the World Cup. Due to the colonial legacy of the Global North, there is a responsibility to share information and sustainable technology, allowing countries from the Global South to continue hosting this important tournament.

Reducing Emissions through Sustainable Travel

Cutting back on long-haul travel is key in reducing emissions associated with the World Cup. According to David Goldblatt, transport accounts for roughly 60% to 80% of the tournament’s carbon emissions, with air travel, particularly private jet usage, being a major contributor. The use of private jets and first-class travel has become the norm, especially when large nations or sets of nations are selected to host the World Cup.

To address this issue, the tournament should prioritize compact hosting regions with existing infrastructure and reliable, sustainable intra and inter-city transportation. This would not only reduce the need for air travel but also allow fans to enjoy multiple games while minimizing the environmental impact of the tournament.

Additionally, it is crucial to tackle Scope 3 emissions stemming from fan travel. While there is no perfect solution, compact hosts can provide reliable and sustainable transportation options, enabling fans to experience the essence of the game without contributing excessively to carbon emissions.

Investing in Climate Resilience, Sustainable Development, and Responsible Sponsorship

In the pursuit of sustainability, it is important to distinguish between reliable climate resilience initiatives and carbon offsets. Elliot Arthur-Worsop, founder of Football For Future, warns against the use of carbon offsets, emphasizing the need to invest in sustainable development options instead. Offsets can often be unreliable and function as a “get out of jail free card,” disregarding the true environmental consequences. Collaborating with governments and private companies, FIFA should focus on zero-carbon energy supplies and transportation. Furthermore, issues related to plastics, food sourcing, and waste management need to be addressed comprehensively.

Another critical aspect is sponsorship. As the world transitions away from fossil fuels and seeks cleaner energy alternatives, FIFA must move away from sponsorship agreements with fossil fuel investors. These agreements not only provide platforms to big polluters but also undermine FIFA’s responsibility to address climate change. By removing the visibility of fossil fuel-related organizations, FIFA can help decrease their influence in the world of sport and promote sustainability.

The Road Ahead: Climate Change and the World Cup

Addressing climate change and its impact on the World Cup requires collective action and urgency. While FIFA alone cannot solve these issues, it holds considerable power to push the football community in the right direction. The Women’s World Cup, for example, has taken steps towards sustainability by incorporating green building certifications, providing low-emission transportation, and partnering with First Nations and Māori communities to promote biodiversity awareness and conservation.

These steps serve as a glimmer of hope, demonstrating the soccer community’s potential for growth and commitment to the environment. Moving forward, there is a need for FIFA to continue prioritizing sustainability and catalyzing true transformation within the industry. The next World Cup, scheduled for 2026 across North America, should be an opportunity to further advance environmental sustainability and set a new standard for sports-mega events.

Ultimately, if the World Cup is to maintain its status as the flagship sporting event and ignite the passion of billions of fans worldwide, it must lead the way in impactful climate action. Failure to do so would not only compromise the future of football but also jeopardize the well-being of humanity in an era of climate uncertainty.