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World football governing body FIFA has officially endorsed the use of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) for 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar venues at this week’s Green Expo Forum in Qatari capital of Doha.

The move comes as Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy reiterated its commitment to delivering stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup that are built with a focus on sustainability.

Supreme Committee Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi, highlighted the importance of delivering a sustainable tournament to tie in to Qatar’s national development plans, stating “environmentally responsible development is one of the pillars for building a better future for the coming generations, as stated in the Qatar National Vision 2030.

“To achieve this, we must be sustainable beyond the borders of our plans, and turn them into a vision and daily behaviour that we apply in all areas, in order to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

“We would like to sincerely thank the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development for leading the way with the development of GSAS, whose certification is an important milestone on the path towards hosting a sustainable FIFA World Cup and provides a model for other host countries to follow.”

GSAS is the first performance-based system in the MENA region and was developed for rating green buildings and infrastructure. All 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar proposed host venues are designed with the goal of certification under GSAS.

FIFA Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Federico Addiechi added “we were able to review and approve that GSAS, as proposed to FIFA by the SC, fulfils our requirements for green certification of stadiums.

“This is remarkable because we were able to do it seven years before the actual tournament and this allows for adequate planning. Long-term planning is one of the most important factors in ensuring that a major sporting event is organised in a sustainable manner.

“FIFA believes we all have a responsibility to protect, cherish and limit our impact on the environment. As an international organisation, we take this responsibility seriously and seek to set a good example to others – in the world of sports and beyond – placing sustainability at the heart of everything we do.”

Images: The plan for Qatar's Ras Abu Aboud Stadium (top) and Hassan Al Thawadi (below).

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