Was the 2022 World Cup as green as it seemed?

Back in 2010, FIFA announced that the tiny country of Qatar would host the 2022 World Cup. It would be the first Middle Eastern country to do so. The tournament has seen thousands of fans travel to see it, with millions tuning in around the world. But it hasn’t been without controversy.

The event’s organisers claimed that it would be the first fully carbon-neutral World Cup. A big new solar park was built, fleets of electric buses were released onto the roads and climate-friendly projects were set up to offset emissions.

Some say that organisers are trying to do the right thing. But others are critical, arguing that emissions have been underestimated and that the carbon-neutral claim is misleading.

This episode dives into the debate and asks if the 2022 World Cup was really as green as it seemed.

Presenters Graihagh Jackson and Luke Jones are joined by:

Rumaitha Al Busaidi, Omani football pundit and climate change activist

Khaled Diab, Communications Director at not-for-profit Carbon Market Watch

Zach Banzon, goalkeeper for Kaya FC in the Philippines and “Team Player” for We Play Green

Peter Ball, Journalist, BBC World Service

Josephine Moulds, Reporter at The Bureau of Investigative Journalism

Producers: Lilly Freeston and Sophie Eastaugh

Researcher: Natasha Fernandes

Production Coordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Siobhan Reed

Series Producer: Alex Lewis

Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell