FIFA to step up environment protection efforts under SDGs

06 / 06 / 2020

By Marwa Nassar - -

The FIFA stressed its commitment to step up efforts to further protect the environment, biodiversity and climate in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

FIFA will reduce its resource consumption, as well as consolidate and further improve its management of environmental risks, obligations and opportunities with the aim of mitigating any negative impacts on the environment.

The announcement was made on the World Environment Day – which is celebrated every year on June 5 – to shed light on the importance of engaging governments, businesses, celebrities and citizens to focus their efforts on pressing environmental issues.

Over the past decade, FIFA has continuously increased its requirements and expanded its programs related to environmental protection covering issues such as climate change, waste management, recycling and sustainable construction.

In 2016, FIFA joined the UN Climate Change secretariat’s initiative Climate Neutral Now, becoming the first international sports organization to do so. By joining the campaign, FIFA pledged to continue to strive to become greenhouse gas emission-neutral by the mid-21st century. FIFA have measured and offset the unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions related to its World Cups in Brazil and Russia. Those climate actions will continue also for the World Cup 2022™.

“Our commitment to protecting our climate remains unwavering. We recognize the critical need for everyone to help implement the Paris Agreement and accelerate the change needed to reach greenhouse gas emission neutrality in the second half of the 21st century.”, said FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura.