UNEP's SA-2010 report finds lower-than-projected carbon footprint

According to Allafrica.com, a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report on the environmental performance of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa showed that the country's carbon footprint was far lower than projected, due to fewer visitors than expected.

Other drivers include carpooling and park and ride schemes, as well as efficient stadiums that cut energy use by an estimated 30%. Solar-powered technology and renewable energy use also contributed to the lower profile. The actual footprint was 1.65 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, compared to a projection of 2.64 million.

UNEP worked with the South African government through the Green Goal 2010 project to promote initiatives such as cutting the tournament's carbon footprint, reducing waste and water use, and conserving and enhancing biodiversity. The independent UNEP review, released Tuesday, highlights both successes and lessons that should be learned to ensure the sustainability of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, Allafrica.com reports.

"The report points to many great initiatives," said UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner, "but perhaps the most important finding is that South Africa could have achieved more if sustainability measures had been brought in sooner rather than later."

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