Hosting a major event such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will bring massive benefits to Cape Town, but could also have a negative effect on the city's environment and resources if not properly planned and executed. Source: http://www.capetown.gov.za/ By Martin Pollack With this in mind the City of Cape Town launched the Green Goal greening programme to ensure that the event is environmentally friendly as possible. This is also a FIFA host city obligation. The programme incorporates sustainable developmental principles into every aspect of the event. It comprises an action plan made up of 41 projects across nine target areas, including as energy, waste, water, transport, hospitality and sustainable lifestyles. A progress report was released at a function attended by Executive Mayor Dan Plato, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, and FIFA LOC Environmental Manager Ike Ndlovu. It documents how Cape Town is implementing the programme by reducing the event’s carbon footprint and making the region a sustainable travel destination and place to live. According to the report, more than 80% of the Green Goal projects have commenced, and the remaining projects are in their final planning stages. The City of Cape Town has allocated funding for the Green Goal Action Plan projects, and additional funding has been secured for city beautification and tree planting. Its investment in the 2010 greening programme has already leveraged, and currently matches international grant funding. "The City is serious about reducing the carbon footprint of the 2010 event and conserving environmental resources," said Plato. "The iconic new stadium has incorporated many of the world's best ‘green’ technologies in its construction, ensuring that energy and water consumption is minimised and waste reduced to a minimum. A generous grant from the Urban Environmental Management Programme of the Danish Royal Embassy will further assist us in reducing some of the carbon emissions linked to the event," he said. According to Zille, many of the Green Goal projects will have a long-term benefit for Cape Town’s residents. "More trees, increased waste reduction and recycling, energy and water saving technologies, increased use of non-motorised transport, infrastructural development that benefits all communities and encourages responsible tourism will be some of the long-lasting benefits from the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ that residents of the Western Cape will enjoy long after the event has come and gone," she said. Zille added that the construction of infrastructure projects, including the stadium and new transport networks, comply with rigorous national environmental legislation. Improvements in public transport will result in more efficient energy use, which will have a positive impact on air quality and reduce carbon emissions by cutting traffic congestion. The nine Green Goal target areas are: 1 | Energy and climate change | | The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will have a carbon footprint of over 850 000 tonnes – more than eight times that of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, due to South Africa being a long-haul destination. Cape Town's share is approximately 17%. The programme aims to minimise this by focusing on ways to reduce energy consumption and promote more efficient transport systems. Carbon mitigation projects are being implemented, and the design of the stadium incorporates energy-efficient technologies. | 2 | Water | | Instead of using potable water to irrigate the Green Point Common, water that is diverted from the Oranjezicht Springs will be used. This will be supplemented by rainwater from the stadium roof. Water-saving technologies have been included in the stadium. | 3 | Integrated Waste Management | | Waste generated by the event is to be reduced, re-used and recycled. Cleaning and solid waste management plans are being finalised. Two recycling drop-off centres are being constructed, and a two-bin recycling system (wet and dry waste) is being rolled-out, and will remain as a legacy project in the CBD. | 4 | Transport, mobility and access | | The first phase of the integrated rapid transit (IRT) system will be in place, while a new bicycle and pedestrian route is also being constructed around the stadium as part of the larger non-motorised transport (NMT) network. Other transport facilities, such as rail stations, are being upgraded. These will enable easier access for persons with disabilities. Metered-taxi drivers will be trained in eco-driving, which will also be a theme of Transport Month in October 2009. These projects will promote energy efficient and universally accessible mobility, and minimise air pollution. | 5 | Landscaping and biodiversity | | Students participated in a student landscape design competition in 2008, which is informing the landscape design of the Mouille Point promenade upgrade. A biodiversity garden is being developed in the new Green Point Park, and will showcase water-wise indigenous gardening and responsible horticultural practices. | 6 | Green building and sustainable lifestyles | | A number of projects are being implemented to promote environmental awareness, sustainable lifestyles and environmentally efficient building practises. The sustainability of the stadium has been measured and found to be good. A business plan and fundraising strategy has been completed for the planned ECO centre in the Green Point Park. The Cape Town Green Map, www.capetowngreenmap.co.za, has been launched. A soccer and environment poster has been developed and a soccer-themed environmental education programme will be rolled-out to 40 schools between January and June 2010. All 2010 volunteers will receive environmental training. | 7 | Responsible tourism | | This aims to promote responsible tourism for 2010 and beyond. A code of responsible conduct for visitors is being developed for inclusion into the official 2009 Cape Town visitor's guide, and a responsible tourism training programme is being scoped. The GreenStaySA programme is underway with eight pilot hotels. | 8 | Green Goal communications | | An event of this magnitude provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the environmental impact of large sport events and the environmental legacy opportunities that such events present, and communicate the message of Green Goal to residents and visitors. A Green Goal communications plan is being implemented, and resources such as the action plan, progress report, DVD and website are available. Green Goal content is included all official 2010 communication materials and a Green Goal brochure and newsletter is being developed. | 9 | Monitoring, measurement and reporting | | More than 80% of the Green Goal projects have been scoped, project definition reports are completed, and funding has been secured. The focus is now on monitoring, measuring and reporting on progress with the implementation of Green Goal. The interim progress report forms part of this. | | 
