Qatar promised something else to distinguish this World Cup from the rest: It would be 'carbon-neutral,' or have a negligible overall impact on the climate. But for almost as long, there have been skeptics -- with outside experts saying Qatar and FIFA's plan rests on convenient accounting and projects that won't counteract the event's carbon footprint as they advertise.
Solar panels sit in front of Khalifa International Stadium, also known as Qatar's National and oldest Stadium, which will host matches during FIFA World Cup 2022, in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Organizers of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have said the event will be soccer's first 'carbon neutral' event of its kind. FIFA and Qatari organizers say they will reduce and offset all the event's carbon emissions, which will be calculated once the games are over.
Qatar famously moved the tournament to the winter to protect players and spectators from extreme heat. Even so, the gas-rich nation will air condition seven stadiums that are open to the sky. For water, it will mostly rely on energy-guzzling desalination plants that take ocean water and make it drinkable to satisfy the more than 1.2 million fans expected to touch down for the monthlong event. The Gulf Arab sheikdom is normally home to 2.9 million people.
Qatar defended its math and said it has worked hard to avoid creating "white elephant" venues that often sit idle in host countries after a tournament has ended. It says it has developed plans for each stadium after the games are over. A spokesperson for the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy called the methodology behind Qatar's carbon-neutral pledge "best in practice."Central to Qatar's plan to reduce World Cup emissions are carbon offsets. Sometimes called carbon credits, these promise to cancel out or absorb the same amount of greenhouse gases emitted by a company or event, so that it's as if the event emitted nothing.
"They're relying on arguably some of the lowest quality credits that exist today," said Danny Cullenward, an energy economist and lawyer who directs policy at CarbonPlan, a California-based nonprofit that evaluates climate programs. He said there are "severe problems with additionality" with the credits Qatar and FIFA are using, which he evaluated.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Calgarians getting ready to head to Qatar for FIFA Men's World CupCraig MacTavish will be halfway around the world supporting the team in Qatar as they take on Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.
Read more »
Calgarians heading to Qatar for World Cup soccerCraig MacTavish will be halfway around the world supporting the team in Qatar as they take on Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.
Read more »
Calgarians getting ready to head to Qatar for FIFA Men's World CupCraig MacTavish will be halfway around the world supporting the team in Qatar as they take on Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.
Read more »
Calgarians heading to Qatar for World Cup soccerCraig MacTavish will be halfway around the world supporting the team in Qatar as they take on Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.
Read more »
Canada pushes England to the limit before falling 26-19 in Rugby World Cup semifinalAUCKLAND, New Zealand — England downed a determined Canada 26\u002D19 on Saturday to extend its winning streak to 30 matches and move into the final of the Rugby…
Read more »
Qatar's vast wealth helps it host FIFA World CupQatar is home to some 2.9 million people, but only a small fraction -- around one in 10 -- are Qatari citizens. They enjoy massive wealth and benefits fuelled by Qatar's shared control of one of the world's largest reserves of natural gas. Here's a look at Qatar's economy and how this tiny country was able to spend so much to host the FIFA World Cup.
Read more »