Is the Qatar FIFA World Cup really carbon neutral?
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/is-the-qatar-fifa-world-cup-really-carbon-neutral/a-63753961
Author: Alistair Walsh
FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar organizers have billed the event as the first carbon-neutral tournament in history. But critics say the claims are "misleading" to the public and warn that the competition poses a slew of other environmental problems from waste to water-use. An investigation carried out by non-profit environment group Carbon Market Watch questioned the carbon-neutral label, saying organizers have likely dramatically underestimated emissions. The tournament will emit some 3.6 million tons of CO2, according to official figures. That's roughly equal to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's annual emissions. Most of those greenhouse gases will come from flights and accommodation for the more than one million visitors, as well as the construction of seven new stadiums, among other infrastructure, say organizers. Qatar said it has cut planet-heating emissions by installing solar-powered lighting and cooling systems, and constructing "energy efficient stadiums." Emissions it can't avoid, it will offset with local green projects. Stadium construction is one area where organizers got creative with their carbon accounting, underplaying emissions by at least 1.6 million tons, said Gilles Dufrasne, author of the Carbon Market Watch paper and policy officer at the Brussels-based NGO.