Will the Qatar World Cup really be carbon neutral?

Science Weekly

The Guardian

Science

4.2 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 22 November 2022

⏱️ 17 minutes

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Summary

It’s supposed to be the first ever carbon neutral World Cup. Organisers Fifa and host Qatar say they have implemented sustainability initiatives, taken measures to limit carbon output and will offset greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing credits. Fifa has admitted, however, that the tournament’s carbon footprint will bigger than any of its predecessors, and experts believe emissions have been underestimated, calling into question the claim of carbon neutrality. Madeleine Finlay speaks to sports reporter Paul MacInnes about the environmental burden of building stadiums, flying in players and fans from around the world and keeping the pitches green, and asks whether football is really ready to face up to its carbon footprint. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

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0:00.0	This is the Guardian. Well, if you're not this wall through you could over plan the living area.
0:13.3	So I'm thinking burnt oka paired with some terracotta times, vary in season right now.
0:17.6	When it comes to making big decisions for how we improve our homes, we rely on the advice of experts. So shouldn't it be the same for the way we heat and
0:24.7	power them at EDF waste specialists in low-carbon technology for homes? We've installed thousands
0:29.6	of air source heat pumps solar panels and batteries across the country and we also have useful
0:34.0	content to help you make the right decision for your home search EDF Energy
0:37.6	dot com slash energy specialist to find out more. At the weekend, the 22 FIFA World Cup kicked off.
0:47.0	It's still bouncing inside the penalty area.
0:52.0	And there's the first goal.
0:54.0	From the moment Qatar was announced as the host,
0:58.0	the tournament has been surrounded by controversy.
1:01.0	Qatar will welcome the world. Not everyone. controversy. Both Qatar and FIFA have disputed claims that 6,500 migrant workers have died.
1:17.0	FIFA says that fans will not be allowed to buy alcohol around World Cup stadiums in Doha.
1:24.8	Included in the myriad of issues, a questions around FIFA and Qatar's pledge
1:31.6	that this will be the first ever carbon neutral world cup.
1:36.5	According to FIFA's estimate, the World Cup will have a carbon footprint of 3.6 million tons.
1:44.0	Well, we did a little bit of digging around into FIFA's carbon footprint estimate,
1:51.0	and we think it's way over the 10 million ton mark.
1:55.0	Organizers have said that they're going to offset the calculated emissions by buying carbon credits. It's a big environmental burden for a four-week
2:06.4	event, but could it also be a moment when football reckons with its
2:11.3	contribution to the climate crisis.
2:14.8	From The Guardian, I'm Madeline Finley,
	...

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