In 2022, the world awaits the FIFA World Cup 2022™ not only to witness the world’s largest sporting event but also to witness the first carbon neutral FIFA World Cup.

This tournament will set new, sustainable standards and leave a positive legacy as a catalyst for long-term sustainable change. sustainability is at the core of the preparations for hosting the Qatar 2022. The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy – the body responsible for the projects and initiatives of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – is keen to implement the highest standards of sustainability in all projects of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Sustainable Stadiums Report – prepared by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy- has identified sustainability features for each of the tournament’s eight stadiums in terms of design, construction and legacy.

The following are the ten sustainability features identified by the report for the Qatar 2022 stadiums:

First fully demountable stadium in FIFA World Cup history

Ras Abu Aboud Stadium is mainly constructed from modular shipping containers. It will be completely dismantled after the end of the tournament, and parts of it will be used to build sports facilities after 2022. The stadium site will also be converted into a waterfront development project.

Donated more than 170,000 stadium seats

The FIFA World Cup 2022™! requires massive seating capacity compared to Qatar’s domestic needs, hence the innovative solution to construct parts of the stadiums that could be dismantled. After the tournament, more than 170,000 stadium seats will be removed and donated to countries lacking sport infrastructure. Thanks to the modular design of the stadiums, it will be easy to dismantle, transport and reuse. 

Building materials from sustainable sources

15% of stadium materials are recycled materials. The project also prioritized the use of local resources to support Qatar’s economy and investments. The indoor spaces are painted with non-toxic paint, respecting the health of the fans. Light colors are used on the exterior parts to help retain heat and reduce the urban heat island effect.

The stadiums will operate year-round

The stadiums are designed with retractable roofs and energy-efficient cooling technologies. This feature will allow the use of the stadiums year-round. After the tournament ends, the stadiums will be converted by the community to hospitals, schools, retail stores and hotels.

30% less energy consumption

The report shows that stadiums in Qatar are 30%more energy-efficient compared to the minimum requirements as mandated by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers in ASHRAE 90.1.

40% of water savings

Stadiums are designed to use less water than the minimum requirements set by the International Plumbing Code of 40% water. The water vapor collected from the cooling system will be used for irrigation, and the reused water will be used for dust suppression.

850 thousand meters of green space around the stadiums

Qatar 2022 stadiums and surrounding areas will feature 850,000 square meters of new green space. These areas contain 16,000 trees which are irrigated with recycled water.

Public transportation brings fans to the stadiums

The Doha Metro is a fast, economical and environmentally friendly means of transportation, and it will facilitate access for fans to stadiums from across the Qatari capital, Doha. Its system consists of metro trains, trams and buses that will transport passengers directly to all stadiums. An extensive network of shaded pedestrian and bicycle pathways racks has gradually opened to the public near building entrances.

Reuse or recycle construction waste

In Al Janoub and Al Rayyan stadiums, during the demolition of the old buildings, 90% of the waste generated was reused or recycled. Also, all stadiums are designed to have highly efficient waste management, segregation, and recycling system on site.

Sustainability certificates

In accordance with FIFA mandatory requirements, all Qatar 2022 stadiums must receive a four-star rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). Recently, two Qatar 2022 stadiums received a five-star rating.

A sustainable legacy

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ is ambitious and will have a considerable impact. It will contribute to raising awareness of the importance of organizing tournaments and various sporting mega-events in a sustainable manner. It will contribute to people’s well-being, economic development and environmental protection in the short and long term. It will demonstrate that being sustainable is both viable and value adding.

FIFA World Cup™is the first to be hosted in the Middle East and Qatar seeks to establish a legacy in sustainability and contribute to the promotion of the UN SDGs and the Qatar National Vision 2030. The vision for the FIFA World Cup 2022™ is to “use the power of football to open the door to a world of amazing experiences“. Indeed, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ can create a better future for Qatar, the Middle East, Asia and the world through infrastructure, education, football for development, environmental innovation and a dedication to human right and workers’ welfare.

Photo credits: cisomag.eccouncil.org

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