Reduction of business air travel
Initiative description: Implementing measures to reduce business air travel during tournament preparations, including awareness-raising and the use of video conferencing facilities.
Travel was a significant part of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ carbon footprint. With the aim of reducing the emissions associated with business air travel to Doha, FIFA raised awareness of the need to reduce carbon emissions through internal communications, such as intranet articles.
FIFA staff were informed about the tournament climate commitments; the impact the tournament has on the climate; the impact of a changing climate on football; the difference in emissions associated with flying different classes; and tips on reducing carbon emissions if flying was unavoidable (e.g. flying during the daytime, flying economy class and with less luggage).
State-of-the-art video conferencing facilities at offices in Zurich and Doha as well as online collaboration tools enabled the tournament organisers to host internal and external meetings, workshops and seminars online, thereby reducing the previous need to travel between Switzerland and Qatar for tournament preparations.
A considerable reduction in emissions related to air travel was achieved through the change in the FIFA Travel Policy for the FIFA Arab Cup™ test event and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, whereby the vast majority of the workforce travelled in economy class to these events.