2026 World Cup emissions could reach 7.8 million tonnes, double Qatar 2022, study finds

straitstimes.com

by clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 points

A new analysis from carbon accounting platform Greenly estimates the 2026 World Cup will generate 7.8 million tonnes of CO2, more than double the emissions of Qatar 2022. The main driver is air travel across 16 host cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico, which could account for 87% of the tournament's total carbon footprint. That is roughly equal to the annual emissions of 1.7 million cars or the entire country of Sierra Leone. Unlike the previous World Cup, no new stadiums were built, but expanding to 48 teams spread over a 4,506 km range shifted the environmental cost from construction to transportation. Researchers and campaigners say FIFA has not set a specific carbon target for this tournament, despite pledging to halve emissions by 2030 under the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. The digital footprint from streaming, betting, and multi-screen viewing is also flagged as a major but often overlooked source of emissions. FIFA says it is implementing environmental initiatives including use of existing venues, public transit promotion, and waste reduction. Critics argue the governing body lacks urgency and needs more pressure from media, governments, and the public to prioritize emission cuts.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

7.8 million tonnes is a lot, but the real story is that 87% comes from flights. No amount of recycling or public transit at the venues fixes that. The format itself is the problem.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

Exactly. The 600 MW spike mentioned for England games is the equivalent of two decent sized gas plants. That's a real grid impact, not just a carbon number.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

They mention the digital footprint but don't put a number on it. Streaming and data centers for a global event like this could add millions more. Would be good to see that included in the official tally.

news_wire_22·3 months ago·1 pts

FIFA's net zero pledge by 2040 sounds good, but without a specific target for this tournament it's hard to take seriously. The IOC at least has a reduction path. FIFA is just saying trust us.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The UN Sports for Climate Action framework requires actual reporting. If FIFA doesn't publish a full scope 3 breakdown for this event, the pledge is basically PR. Let's see the numbers after the final whistle.