Berlin/Nairobi,
3 July 2006 - A pioneering initiative to make
the 2006 FIFA World Cup not only entertaining
but environmentally-friendly is proving a winning
team, it was announced today.
The ‘Green Goal’ project--the
inspiration of the Local Organizing Committee
for the 2006 FFIA World Cup and the German Ministry
of the Environment—aims to cut greenhouse gas
emissions from transport and electricity generation
during the month long tournament.
Other aims include defeating
the waste mountains normally associated with large
scale public events as well as using rainwater
for pitches and creating environmental public
awareness among fans.
A preliminary snapshot indicates
that the ‘Green Goal’, which is supported by the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and
private business, is meeting if not exceedingly
expectations.
The Local Organizing Committee
(LOC), whose President is the German football
legend Franz Beckenbauer, had hoped to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions drastically-- partly
by encouraging 50 per cent of the estimated 3.2
million fans to take public transport and partly
by alternative energy projects in India and South
Africa.
Initial estimates are that this is well on track
with some 70 per cent of journeys being made on
foot or by train, bus, coach and bicycle with
only 30 per cent by private car.
‘Green Goal’ is also scoring
in other areas of the park, for example in the
area of waste reduction at the 12 stadia. This
is partly as a result of ideas like the ‘Cup of
the Cup’.
In order to avoid waste, fans
are required to pay one Euro for a special drinks
cup with the containers the only ones allowed
inside the grounds.
Surveys indicate that the initiative
is paying off with only the occasional paper serviette
used for sausages marring what have become virtually
litter-free zones.
Achim Steiner, UNEP’s Executive
Director, said: “Environmental considerations
have been making a first and very welcome appearance
at a World Cup. And according to initial assessments,
they appear to be well on the winning side”.
Klaus Toepfer, the Green Goal
Ambassador and former UNEP Executive Director,
said: “We will have to wait until the final whistle
to fully gauge the ‘Green Goal’s’ success. But
the various tactics, from those aimed at encouraging
public transport to the ones designed to minimize
waste, appear to be hitting the net. The only
losers so far appear to be car parks with some
only half or semi full,” he added.
Mr Steiner added: “I hope and
am confident that the ideas and strategies put
in place for this tournament can be adapted and
developed for other mass audience events from
football to pop concerts. I think the local organizing
committee, the Oko Institute and the companies
involved should be given a big hand, maybe a Mexican
wave, for conceiving this first ever Green Goal,”
said Mr Steiner.
Horst R. Schmitt, first Vice
President of the LOC stated: “This FIFA World
Cup sets up records nearly every day: top viewing
figures, visitors at the Fan Festivals and sold
out stadiums. That is why we are extremely happy
that for the first time we were able to achieve
environmental objectives. The share of spectators
who leave their cars behind is sensational.”
The preliminary data, supplied
by the Oeko-Institute which is advising the LOC
on their environmental programme, is based on
information from sources such as the German Police
and Deutsche Bahn AG, the German railway operator.
On average, 55 per cent of spectators
have been using public transport to travel to
and from the stadiums.
Some cities have exceeded expectations.
For example Munich had estimated that 30 per cent
to 40 per cent of fans would take public transport.
So far an astonishing 60 per cent have used the
underground train.
A significant proportion of
fans have also been walking to matches especially
in Dortmund, Hanover, Kaiserslautern and Leipzig.
For example at the first match
in Dortmund, around 10,000 spectators enjoyed
the fine weather to walk the 45 minutes from the
train station to the ground to see Sweden versus
Trinidad and Tobago.
During some matches up to 500
fans have arrived by bicycle. Meanwhile, between
100 and 200 coaches are bringing fans to matches.
Environment-wise, coaches are considered equal
to trains and buses.
The peak usage was observed
at the Japan versus Brazil match in Dortmund on
22 June where 376 coaches were used, equal to
a fifth of all fans attending the game.
Overall the preliminary figures
indicate that 70 per cent of fans are coming to
matches by means other than private motor cars.
The Oeko-Institute cites the
introduction of the Kombiticket as one reason
for the success. The ticket allows spectators
to travel free on public transport on match days.
Notes to Editors
Various pictures covering public transport use
up to and litter-free stadia are available at
www.unep.org
A film on the carbon offset project in South Africa
is at http://www.myclimate.org/downloads/myclimate04.m4v
More about the aims and intentions of Green Goal
can be found at greengoal.fifaworldcup.yahoo.net
UNEP’s Sport and Environment initiative http://www.unep.org/sport_env/
Nick Nuttall
