Qatar is keen on successfully hosting a carbon-neutral 2022 FIFA World Cup and with minimal impact on the environment, an official of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has said.
“In building the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Sustainability Strategy, we sought to align with relevant international standards and guidelines, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” engineer Bodour al-Meer, sustainability director at the SC, told a virtual event hosted recently by the Qatar embassy in Washington and the US Chamber of Commerce.
During her keynote speech, al-Meer added: “We are sure that the sustainability programme for the FIFA World Cup 2022 will minimise environmental impact and enhance the tournament experience overall, while at the same time deliver value for generations to come in Qatar and beyond.”
The event, which was opened by Khush Choksy, senior vice-president for the Middle East, Turkey and Kazakhstan at the US Chamber of Commerce, highlighted Qatar’s sustainability efforts, which remain at the core of the infrastructure and tournament operations planning for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and Qatar’s tactics to deliver a fully carbon-neutral event.
Aside from al-Meer, remarks were also delivered by Beau Waters, Sports & Entertainment, market director at Jacobs; and by Ambassador Greta Holtz, chargé d’affaires at the US embassy Doha. Steve Lutes, vice president for Middle East Affairs, US Chamber of Commerce, moderated the Q&A discussion.
Through the virtual exchange, the panellists discussed Qatar’s commitment to fighting climate change through efforts to measure, mitigate, and offset all greenhouse gas emissions associated with the much-anticipated international tournament.
Qatar’s carbon-neutral approach will catalyse low-carbon solutions across the region that will drive growth in a low-carbon economy. The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be the first carbon-neutral tournament of its kind and will set a benchmark for environmental stewardship for major sporting events.
Waters said, “As a partner of 2022 FIFA World Cup, Jacobs has worked closely with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy in Qatar and served as a partner for over a decade to deliver infrastructure for the event and help meet the sustainability requirements committed to during the bid process.
“The World Cup has been a catalyst for increased attention and awareness around sustainability in the region and it has been an important component driving many global sporting events to Qatar. The work being done is a great representation of Qatar’s commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality, and we are honoured to be a part of it.”
The Qatar National Vision 2030 emphasises managing Qatar’s rapid development by balancing economic growth with environmental protection. Sustainability has been at the heart of the 2022 FIFA World Cup from the start, with planning and delivery premised on the idea that generations to come should find our shared planet a greener, more equitable place, free from discrimination, and full of opportunities for all.
“The 2022 FIFA World Cup presents an opportunity to facilitate economic growth and diversification in Qatar and also in the US by linking local businesses to global value chains and producing opportunities for the US private sector,” said Choksy.
He added: “The Supreme Committee has invested heavily in developing sustainable tournament sites and lessening the impact of the World Cup on the environment, and as a result has created new partnerships with US companies and strengthened commercial ties between the US and Qatar. We applaud Qatar for focusing on environmental priorities as it hosts this major global sporting event and for its efforts to benefit employment in the US and Qatar.”
As one of the first countries to ratify the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1996, combating climate change and promoting the importance of sustainability must include investment in alternative energy, green building initiatives, and other green technologies. Qatar is dedicated to a long-term view of sustainability, driving responsible development for a cleaner world.
“The ‘Carbon-Neutral World Cup’ offers a unique test for us to set goals, achieve and measure results, and demonstrate to the people of our countries that we’re serious about slowing climate change and ensuring a better future for all,” Holtz said.
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