FIFA and IOC pledged to reach NetZero by 2040

At the COP26 U.N. climate conference organised by the Sports for Climate Action Framework (S4CA) and held at Glassgow, international governing body of football, FIFA and International Committee of Olympics, IOC agreed to a pledge that has targeted to achieve NetZero carbon emissions by 2040. S4CA was established in 2018 to bring together sports bodies for achieving common climate goals. The bodies have also discussed and agreed on reducing greenhouse gases by 50%.

Patricia Espinosa, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary while speaking to the media explained how the sports bodies came together for the one common goal and how all of them have actively taken part in obtaining that objective.

“Four years since we launched the Sports for Climate Action Framework, more than 280 sports organisations have committed to the overarching objectives of aligning sport with the goals of the Paris Agreement. “These organisations are now being challenged to reduce emissions 50 per cent by 2030 at the latest and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.”

Global warming affecting several sports events

Global warming does not only have adverse effects for the planet but it is also likely to affect sports activities as well. Due to the change in climate and increasing temperature, Australia Open and Winter Olympics were affected. Findings in the report, “Playing against the clock: Global sport, the climate emergency and the case for rapid change” was matter of concern for the sports authorities. The report stated that due to the increase in the sea level, one out of four English soccer grounds are likely to experience flooding once eyery year.

English Premier League, Chief Executive, Richard Masters said, ““In signing up to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, the Premier League is demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future. Working alongside the UN and other leading sports organisations, we aim to help achieve the targets set by the Paris Climate Change Agreement for a low carbon future.”

Highlights

• FIFA IOC makes a pledge to reduce carbon emissions and reduce greenhouse gases at the COP26 U.N. climate conference.
• Increasing temperature and sea-level are likely to affect major sporting events in the near future, a report titled “Playing against the clock: Global sport, the climate emergency and the case for rapid change”, stated.