Meriam Jelliti
Doha
The result of Qatar’s determination to host and organise the first environmentally sustainable FIFA World Cup ever, is there for everyone to see.
Early on, FIFA recognised that climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time and it requires immediate and sustainable climate action from all as it decisively affects the health, life and future of people on the planet.
In this context, FIFA had announced that the 2022 edition will be the first ever ‘carbon neutral’ World Cup. In line with that announcement, Qatar, the host country, “pledged to conduct a completely carbon-free World Cup”.
A comprehensive set of initiatives have been implemented to mitigate emissions associated with the tournament. The measures include energy efficient stadiums, green building certification in design, construction, operations, and low-emission transportation as well as sustainable waste management practices.
Climate experts and analysts have examined ‘carbon neutrality’ in Qatar, which has taken a large number of important steps in this context. The steps include building the world’s largest herb farm, establishing environment friendly hotels and stadiums, planting trees, greening roads, using solar energy to operate the tournament stadiums among many others, in a gesture that is the first of its kind in the world.
But that’s not all. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, through its official Twitter account, recently listed some facts about sustainability in the World Cup.
All World Cup stadiums have obtained the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) certificate approved by FIFA and energy-saving thermal insulation and ventilation systems have been used inside the stadiums, it said.
Water generated from the air conditioning operations are used to irrigate trees surrounding the playgrounds. 850,000 square meters of green spaces have been created, according to the ministry.
The ministry reminded that stadiums with public transportation were connected to reduce emissions from private vehicles during the tournament, and energy saving lamps with a third of the consumption of ordinary lamps were being used to light up the stadiums.
Moreover, in the process of reducing dust and dirt around the stadiums, recycled water is used.
Qatar has also cooperated with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) in a joint project that seeks to present a “Healthy 2022 World Cup”, which preserves the health of players, fans and organisers and contributes to spreading the culture of healthy sports.
The project aims to ensure that the tournament is a healthy and safe event, and that the implemented measures and lessons learned are used to make future mega sporting events healthy and safe. Qatar 2022 is also about creating an effective and sustainable model that promotes the integration of health, security and well-being in future sporting events, according to a recent report of the World Health Organization.
The main aims of the project are to support and encourage people to practice healthy lifestyles by following a healthy diet and quitting smoking, and enhancing health security and ensuring the safety of gatherings and events.
So, environment is protected while millions of people of different nationalities, races and religions are gathered in one place in harmony, tolerance, love and peace to watch the matches and support and encourage their teams.
People are getting to know one another’s customs and learn that there are other customs and traditions different from what they have been accustomed to throughout their lives. It is the world in the World Cup, and it is Qatar that made it happen. It is not for nothing that Qatar has the reputation of a country of great impact and big achievements.
