Green Goal

How did the Green Goal programme begin?

Photo courtesy jaded one

Mega sporting events have a significant impact on the environments of the host cities and countries. They attract thousands of visitors and participants, creating economic opportunities for the host cities and countries, but also increasing the use of scarce resources such as water and energy and producing waste. These events also contribute to climate change through increased release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Green Goal was the environmental concept for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ held in Germany. The programme aimed to address the environmental impact of hosting the event and offset the associated carbon emissions.

During the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, transport and the accommodation sector were shown to have the largest environmental impact, including a significant contribution to carbon emissions. Stadium construction and operation activities also contribute significantly to increase the carbon footprint of the event.

Download the latest Green Goal 2010 progress report here:
Green Goal progress report: part one
Green Goal progress report: part two.

To find out more about how Host City Cape Town is working to ensure a more environmentally responsible 2010 FIFA World Cup™, visit the Host City’s 2010 Green Goal website.

Learn more about the Green Goal stand at the Cape Town FIFA Fan Fest.

What does Going Green in 2010 mean?

Photo courtesy Steve Adams

Sport captures the imagination of the world and the media profile can be used to create awareness of environmental issues. Hosting the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa and Cape Town presents a unique opportunity to reach the followers of the teams and the players with a message of sustainable living and behaviour change towards the environment, not only during 2010 but also beyond.

Responsible tourism is one of the focus areas of Green Goal 2010 for Cape Town as a host city. Projects have been identified that target the visitor, the accommodation sector and tourism business owners. Engagement with the accommodation sector is under way, assisting individual establishments to reduce their environmental impact and preparing the sector for compliance with the national minimum environmental standards being devel­oped. A code of responsible conduct for visitors and the tourism industry is being developed, emphasising themes such as respect for the environment, sensitivity to cultural diversity and fair trade. A series of workshops with the industry will assist tourism business owners to implement responsible tour­ism practices during 2010 and beyond.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup (official site) is giving Cape Town the opportunity to show the world that it can host a major event while also leaving a positive effect on the environment.

The City of Cape Town is implementing Green Goal 2010, a programme aims to make the event as environmentally friendly as possible. The action plan includes 43 projects relating to energy, waste, water, transport, hospitality and sustainable lifestyles.

The main objectives for Green Goal 2010 are:

Cape Point, photo courtesy Kicki

• To work with Provincial Government in Western Cape (official site) to develop the Green Goal 2010 programme.
• Ensuring the stadium, urban park and other precinct facilities are ecologically efficient and sustainable.
• Planning and developing appropriate landscaping and biodiversity measures for the area.
• Working with Solid Waste Management to create a waste management system for 2010.
• Working along lines set by national-level programmes to coordinate 2010 programmes for Event Greening Communications and Evaluation.
• Developing and implementing a green rating system for the hospitality industry.
• Developing appropriate methods in support of sustainable transport.
• Facilitating appropriate and ongoing tourism interventions.