This paper aims to survey previously published research's findings on environmental sustainability in sport mega-events and apply such lessons to the environmental sustainability plan for the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup to be held in Qatar. In particular, this paper attempts to summarize such research to determine areas of opportunity, growth, challenge, and conflict for the environmental sustainability plan for this World Cup in order to ensure the best opportunity for the creation of positive legacies. Overall, it is difficult to put environmental sustainability frameworks into action, but the organizing committee hopes to use this World Cup as an opportunity to push for growth in sustainable development opportunities in the host country. In particular, the Olympics are looked at as leading this charge compared to FIFA with the adoption of environment as the third pillar of Olympism. The authors also recognize the difficulty of hosting the World Cup in Qatar as compared to previous hosts due to the differences in climate, culture, and sporting opportunity. Areas of opportunity for environmentally sustainable legacies within this World Cup may be found in: governance, institutions, social opportunities, education, economics, buildings, transportation, urban planning, human resources, environment, energy, water, food, waste management, procurement, and climate change.
Cite: Talavera, A.M., Al-Ghamdi, S. & Koç, M. (2019). Sustainability in mega-events: Beyond Qatar 2022. Sustainability, 11(22), 6407.
