It’s FIFA time! FIFA is also stepping towards sustainability. Football stadiums are not just grounds for FIFA tournament. These stadiums are a huge sports centre which attracts a large number of Football fans.
The sustainability policies for FIFA world cup has been updated by governing body of world football. These policies include certain norms for green stadiums, waste management and climate change.
Ever since the Sydney Olympics in 2000, all major sporting events have been releasing environmental frameworks and policies set to make up for the carbon footprint released by the events.
“Stadiums are key in our efforts to stage a successful and more sustainable FIFA World Cup, which is why FIFA has made green certification mandatory for all areas used for the event.” – FIFA Head of Sustainability & Diversity Federico Addiechi.
Luzhniki Stadium
This year FIFA has initiated green stadium certification. According to this, the tournament will be held in green stadiums. These stadia must have followed International green standards during construction. These standards must be incorporated in energy conservation, water conservation and tree plantations in relevant areas.
In May 2018, all the host stadiums in Russia was certified green stadium certified under a scheme by ‘RUSO The Football Stadiums’.
The final match will be held in Luzhniki, Russia. It is the first and largest stadium in Russia to get certified as green-stadium. With its advanced water conserving technology the stadium can save 490,000 litres of water in just one match. The LED lamps installed in the venue helps in saving 70% of electricity. According to the stadium managers, 1,050 trees and bushes were planted, and 15,700 square metres of flower beds were laid down during the reconstruction.
Luzhniki is now considered as one of the most popular green building in the world by infrastructure sustainability assessors BREEAM.
The event organisers have come up with a strategy to spread environmental concern among the fan crowd. With a recently launched carbon offset campaign, the governing body vowed to offset 2.9 tonnes of CO2 for every signature it receives. In return for their signature, every fan’s name will be registered in a lucky draw competition. The 2 lucky winners receive fully sponsored tickets and travel to the Moscow.
Such policy made by Football governing bodies would help in motivating other policy and decision makers to act towards achieving sustainable goals. Luzhniki stadium could be a reference model which could help other buildings to become green-buildings.