According to a Swiss regulator, Fifa made false claims about the World Cup’s reduced environmental impact in Qatar in 2022.
The first “fully carbon-neutral World Cup,” according to the global governing body of football, would take place.
Five European countries’ objections have been upheld by Switzerland’s advertising watchdog, the Swiss Fairness Commission (SLK).
The SLK claimed that “Fifa was unable to provide proof that the claims were accurate during the proceedings.”
The SLK further stated in its ruling, which is not enforceable, that “The SLK has encouraged Fifa to desist from making speculative statements moving forward. specifically the assertion that the Qatar World Cup in 2022 was carbon or climate neutral.
The World Cup, according to Fifa, which is based in Zurich, had a carbon footprint of 3.6 million tonnes, which was offset by a number of programs, including compensating for each ticket holder’s flight emissions and implementing electric mobility for tournament-related public transportation.
The statement was contested by the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. The SLK upheld each objection “following an arduous and complex process.”
According to a November BBC Sport story, environmentalists deemed Fifa’s claim of carbon neutrality “dangerous and misleading” and cautioned the event might have a carbon footprint three times larger than claimed.
The concerns centered on the idea that Fifa’s claim of a carbon-neutral World Cup is incorrect due to an underestimating of emissions and a lack of credibility in its offsets, which, argue activists, means customers and spectators are being mislead.
The regulator continued, “The SLK decided that it should not be claimed that sustainability targets have been attained if there are no conclusive and widely acknowledged techniques for measuring sustainability or ensuring sustainability measures have been applied.
It claimed it was unable to determine whether Fifa’s carbon waste estimate was “realistic or accurate.”
It continued, “In addition, the football body has repeatedly pledged to fully offset emissions that will be accurately assessed at a later time.
But it “did not prove that the emissions stated in the ex-ante report had been offset and did not set out a plan to define how it will further offset emissions.”
In response to the decision, Fifa stated that it is “fully aware that climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time and believes it requires each of us to take immediate and sustainable climate action.”
“Fifa is also fully aware of the effects that mega-events have on the economy, the environment, and on people and communities, and has been making significant efforts to tackle those impacts while, at the same time, using opportunities to maximize the positive effects of its most iconic tournament, including Qatar 2022,” the statement continued. It is still devoted to enhancing its strategies over time in cooperation with important stakeholders.
“In reference to the Swiss Commission for Fairness in Advertising’s recommendation, Fifa is analyzing the grounds for its recommendation, which may still be appealed.”
More needs to be done to stop greenwashing, according to Andrew Simms, director of the UK-based environmental organization New Weather Institute, which filed the UK’s complaint.
When a company misleads the public into believing its goods, objectives, or policies are environmentally beneficial, this is known as “greenwashing.”
Fifa has been exposed for substituting phony environmental initiatives for actual climate action, according to Simms.
“Regulators are gradually realizing the scope of the problem and the danger it poses by undermining sincere attempts to combat climate change. Big polluters are becoming aware that time is running out.
However, in order to stop greenwashing and lessen the harm caused by high-carbon advertising, there is an urgent need for more stringent and effective legislation.
“Some of the worst climate scofflaws continue to exploit sport as a massive billboard to advertise polluting goods and lifestyles, endangering the future of players, spectators, and the sport itself.
“It’s time that sport, and its governing bodies like Fifa, used their influence and authority to hasten the low-carbon transition rather than postponing it and misinforming the general public in the process.”
