Offsetting remaining GHG emissions
Initiative description: Developing and implementing a programme to offset – with support from fans, participants and partners – all remaining emissions associated with the FIFA World Cup 2022™, including those from FIFA, Q22 and SC operations as well as those from other linked activities which are attributable to the tournament, such as emissions from fan travel, accommodation and food and beverage operations. This initiative includes proactively supporting and developing a voluntary carbon market, identifying reduction projects in Qatar and the region, and building the capacity of sustainability and event management professionals associated with the implementation of low-carbon events.
In order to achieve our commitment to deliver a fully carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, offsetting GHG emissions through mitigation initiatives will ‘neutralise’ those emissions that cannot be avoided. To promote local and regional climate action, local and regional carbon reduction projects will be prioritised.
To support this effort, the Global Carbon Council (GCC) was established in 2019 with the support of the SC. The GCC is the first and only global voluntary carbon-offsetting programme in the MENA region. The carbon credits generated by projects registered with the GCC will be one of the mechanisms used to offset unavoidable emissions related to the tournament and its preparations.
Following signature of an agreement between the SC and the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) in 2019 to support local and regional project development, GORD has been working with organisations in Qatar and the region to implement carbon reduction projects. This will help to ensure the correct assessment of these projects by the GCC, resulting in verified carbon credits. In addition, GCC has now received full approval under Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) of United Nation's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This approval is recognition that the carbon credits issued by GCC are of high integrity and that GCC’s regulatory framework ensures real and permanent emission reductions resulting from projects registered by it.
In 2020, an agreement was reached with GCC for the delivery of 1.8 million tonnes of offsets, with several projects approved. We are continuing discussions with national stakeholders, commercial affiliates and specialised service providers in relation to additional carbon credits. A list of approved carbon reduction projects can be found on the GCC website.