Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Cote d'Ivoire, England, Greece, Italy, Japan , the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Serbia, USA, Uruguay and host country South Africa are among the squads determined to score green - goals for the environment in 2010.
Tackling transport is central to greening the World Cup, as emissions generated by the teams' and spectators' international travel to South Africa will make up more than 67 per cent of the event's total greenhouse gas emissions.
This was announced in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sunday, the eve of the UN climate talks, by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), Achim Steiner, at a press conference with representatives of the 17 World Cup teams.
"Today, footballing nations, representing millions, if not billions of fans, are standing up and being counted as environmental ambassadors for one of the greatest spectator events in the calendar.
"Every one of the teams is determined to make a sporting impact in South Africa while reducing their impact on the global environment. I hope the remaining nations participating in South Africa will want to come on-side for the climate in order to score their own green goals in 2010," intoned Steiner.
The news came as UNEP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) announced further support towards greening the World Cup with US$ 1 million funding package.
According to the news release, UNEP, with funding from GEF, is supporting the Green Goal 2010 Programme, which aims to ensure that the World Cup has a long-term sustainable impact on the country and the region.
The project will help six of the host cities reduce their energy consumption by installing solar-powered and energy-efficient street lamps, traffic lights and billboards in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Polokwane, Rustenburg and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality.
The GEF is also supporting a responsible tourism initiative through the Green Passport, which will be distributed widely to visitors during the World Cup to provide people with tips on how to travel sustainably.
Monique Barbut, GEF CEO and Chairperson said GEF was fully committed to acting locally for global impact.
"This project aims to leave an environmental legacy in South Africa long after the last whistle blows. We look forward to working with our partners to help deliver new and innovative ways to mitigate and compensate emissions generated by mass events," Barbur explained.
The GEF funding will complement existing green initiatives by the South Africa 2010 organizers, including investments in public transport, rainwater harvesting, recycling and tree planting drives at the Host Cities across South Africa.
In Cape Town, which has set a target of 50 per cent of fans traveling to the 2010 stadiums by public transport, the World Cup has catalyzed significant investment by the city in public transport and non-motorized transport facilities.
The city's brand-new integrated rapid transit system will be operational by June 2010 and new pedestrian and bicycle lanes are being built around the city.
Other initiatives by South African organisers include multi-bin systems for recycling in catering areas at World Cup venues, the clean-up of waste hot spots in Mangaung, education programmes on soccer and the environment for 40 schools in Cape Town and the planting of 200,000 trees around Johannesburg.
Nairobi - Pana 08/12/2009
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