The decision to host a global event like the FIFA World Cup isn’t just about its infrastructure or monetary power. It also includes a deeper look at the country’s ethical and environmental obligations. As Saudi Arabia positions itself as a candidate for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, environmental impact raises extreme concerns that could make it unfit to host this type of international event. Saudi Arabia is largely covered by desert, with approximately 38% of its land classified as such.
This results in significant water scarcity and makes the country highly vulnerable to both desertification and flooding, particularly as climate change intensifies its impact. As climate change becomes an increasingly pressing issue, it is important to evaluate how hosting the World Cup in Saudi Arabia could contribute to environmental degradation. In this article, we will discuss various reasons why Saudi Arabia doesn’t seem to be the perfect host for this sporting event.
The carbon footprint crisis
Saudi Arabia is certainly one of the world’s largest oil producers and a drastic contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. The US economic system is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, with oil exports accounting for more than eighty percent of its income. According to the World Bank, Saudi Arabia is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world by population. Around 70-90% of the land in the Arabian Peninsula is at risk of desertification, a situation expected to worsen as temperatures rise.
This growing threat hinders agricultural development and poses a significant risk to food security in the region. However, hosting a major event like the World Cup in a country is a giant participant in the fossil fuel business, which is at odds with efforts to combat weather trading.
Energy consumption for stadiums and facilities
Hosting the World Cup will require the construction of stadiums, inns, ship systems, and other infrastructure, which is a way to require a huge amount of power. Since Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure is for the most part entirely based on fossil fuels, the energy supplies to power these new trends had to bring even better carbon emissions. Although Saudi Arabia has made several commitments to renewable energy, its current pace of transition does not match the amount of energy needed for such an event.
Urbanization and industrial activities have caused considerable air, water, and soil pollution in Saudi Arabia. The energy sector accounts for approximately 82.2% of the nation’s CO2 emissions, positioning Saudi Arabia as the 10th largest global emitter. Its heavy dependence on fossil fuels has led to high domestic energy consumption and heightened pollution levels.
Extreme water mismanagement and environmental strain
Saudi Arabia is one of the most perplexing nations in the world, heavily dependent on desalination to meet its water demands. Desalination, while efficient, is electricity-intensive and has full-blown environmental consequences, including dumping incredibly concentrated brine down into the oceans, and damaging marine ecosystems. The World Cup could put additional pressure on the United States’ already fragile water resources, as thousands and thousands of fans and athletes could increase water demand, exacerbating the environmental toll.
Water-wasting practices in regions
Creating and protecting lush green soccer fields in a barren region of the United States like Saudi Arabia would require large amounts of water, which is especially complicated in a neighbourhood that already struggles with persistent water shortages. The extensive use of water to host World Cup venues in line with the water needs of thousands upon thousands of venue visitors is environmentally unsustainable. Hosting the FIFA World Cup in a country with such limited natural freshwater wealth may further exacerbate the country’s water problems, mainly due to the additional reliance on environmentally unfriendly technology such as desalination.
Massive infrastructure projects and habitat destruction
Hosting the FIFA World Cup may require the development of not only stadiums but also new hotels, roads, airports, and other infrastructure to accommodate hundreds of thousands of visitors to the site. This development could have an immediate impact on the environment and contribute to the destruction of natural habitats, specifically in the fragile ecosystems of the desert regions of Saudi Arabia.
Urban sprawl and its environmental costs
To cater to the World Cup, Saudi Arabia may push forward with rapid urbanization, leading to urban sprawl. Expanding cities without proper environmental planning could lead to issues like air pollution, soil degradation, and the destruction of natural landscapes. Urban sprawl also makes cities less energy-efficient, increasing reliance on cars and fossil fuels. These environmental costs undermine the long-term sustainability of Saudi Arabia’s growth and highlight the incompatibility of hosting a world event in such an environmentally precarious situation.
Extreme Weather Conditions and Climate Impact
The extreme climatic conditions of Saudi Arabia, especially during the summer months when temperatures often exceed forty °C (104 °F), present a great challenge to every player and fan. While FIFA may want to adjust match dates to the colder months.
One of the main issues is the need for cooling structures in stadiums and public areas to provide comfort and protection for players and traffic. These cooling systems could require a lot of energy to operate, which would similarly contribute to carbon emissions given Saudi Arabia’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia’s environmental impact, characterized by its reliance on fossil fuels, unsustainable water practices, habitat destruction, and the energy requirements for hosting the FIFA World Cup, makes it an unfit candidate for such a prestigious event. As the world grapples with the urgent threat of climate change, global organizations like FIFA must take into account the environmental sustainability of potential host nations.
Awarding the 2034 FIFA World Cup to Saudi Arabia would not only contradict global efforts to reduce carbon emissions but also place undue strain on a fragile ecosystem. FIFA must prioritize sustainability in its decision-making to ensure that the World Cup aligns with the environmental values of the 21st century.
