DECARBONISATION
Alongside individual optimisation, the challenge is to reduce friction between them – aligning energy, mobility, food systems, retail and venue operations into a cohesive, responsive whole. Delivering the event is a mammoth challenge. Is delivering it sustainably possible? It remains to be seen.
FIFA’ s social impact and climate strategy FIFA’ s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027 – which encompasses the wider organisation as well as the World Cup – cover 11 focus areas, with ESG sitting at number six:“ focus on social responsibilities, in particular human rights and climate-related aspects”.
“ FIFA’ s social impact campaigns will showcase the FIFA World Cup as a powerful celebration of unity, diversity and shared passion,” says FIFA President Gianni Infantino.“ Through our Football Unites the World, No Racism and Be Active campaigns, FIFA is aiming to use football’ s unique power to build bridges and convey a strong message to promote peace, education, anti-racism and a healthy lifestyle. We invite the global football community to join us and champion these fundamental causes that transcend football and the FIFA World Cup.”
At COP26 in 2021, the FIFA Climate Strategy was published, with the goal of making football climate-resilient and mitigating the organisation’ s impact on climate change. Consisting of four pillars and three key goals, the strategy aims to“ put FIFA on the path to climatefriendly performance, thus protecting FIFA’ s tournaments from the negative climate change impacts and ensuring climate- resilient football development across FIFA operations and events by 2040,” according to the organisation’ s website.
148 June 2026