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The FIFA World Cup is the world’s largest single-event sporting competition, so it only makes sense that FIFA wants to project what the carbon footprint of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will be. That carbon footprint will be significant, with just over 2.7 million tons of carbon projected to be emitted altogether by both the 2014 World Cup and the 2013 Confederations Cup. Transportation is expected to account for 80.1 percent of the carbon footprint, according to a report released in May. Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General, stated in a recent blog post that FIFA and the World Cup local organizing committee (LOC) will offset carbon emissions through offsetting projects and by encouraging stakeholders to “lower their carbon footprint.”
The cornerstone of the Sustainability Strategy for the 2014 World Cup is understanding the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that will be generated, according to the report. The report acknowledges that the environmental impacts are “indisputable.” One of the ways that FIFA plans on mitigating those impacts is through building greener stadiums. Most of the World Cup stadiums in Brazil are planning to achieve LEED certifications, and many are installing rooftop solar panels. In addition, FIFA and LOC are organizing certified training courses on sustainable management for stadium operators.
Gina-Marie is a freelance writer and journalist armed with a degree in journalism, and a passion for social justice, including the environment and sustainability. She writes for various websites, and has made the 75+ Environmentalists to Follow list by Mashable.com.