FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Stadium 974 Earns Five-Star Sustainability Rating

Doha, August 31 (QNA) - Stadium 974 – the first fully demountable tournament venue in FIFA World Cup history – has achieved a five-star rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), which is administered by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD). The 40,000-capacity venue is a landmark in sustainable stadium design and construction, having been built with prefabricated and modular steel elements such as standard certi­fied shipping containers. This reduced the waste generated during the production of stadium components and the waste created on site during construction. The use of modular elements also reduced the venue's construction duration. Water efficiency methods ensured that 974 reduced water use by 40% compared to a conventional stadium development. As a result, 974 achieved a five-star rating for GSAS Design & Build and a Class A* rating for GSAS Construction Management. Executives from the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy received the certificates during a special event on Wednesday. The SC delegation included Eng. Ghanim Al Kuwari, Deputy Director General, Technical Services; Eng. Bodour Al Meer, Sustainability Executive Director; Mohamed Al Atwaan, Facilities Management Director, Stadium 974; and Jassim Al Jaidah, Sustainability Communications Manager. "Sustainability has been the primary focal point with Stadium 974. To receive top GSAS certification marks from GORD is further confirmation of our efforts to establish new, sustainable concepts of stadium design and construction that we hope will be adopted worldwide," said Al Kuwari. "Stadium 974 is also a proud example of the legacy we intend to leave from Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup." As the f­irst-ever FIFA complaint stadium that can be fully dismantled and re-purposed post-event, 974 sets new standards in the building and usage of sustainable venues. This includes f­lexibility in the design to rebuild the stadium with the same capacity in a different location or build multiple smaller venues using the same materials. "By achieving these high ratings, our efforts in making Stadium 974 a reality is truly rewarding for everyone who was part of this unique project from the beginning," said Al Meer. "Stadium 974 will always be synonymous with our sustainability targets for the FIFA World Cup and beyond." Al Jaidah added: "We thank all our contractors and stakeholders, including the stadium management team, for helping us to make Stadium 974 become a proud symbol of our sustainability objectives. This award is an important recognition of our goals to stage a carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup." "This is a great achievement for everyone that has worked on this project and made it a reality," said Al Atwaan. "We look forward to welcoming football fans from around the world when Stadium 974 plays host to matches during Qatar 2022." Founding Chairman of GORD Dr. Yousef Alhorr said: "In meeting top GSAS standards, Stadium 974 has shown itself to be a remarkable achievement in sustainable design and construction. We congratulate the SC for taking the concept of building a fully-demountable stadium and turning it into an example of outstanding green building practice." He added that although FIFA requirements saw obtaining 4 stars as sufficient, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, in its commitment to implement the highest standards of environmental sustainability, decided to move forward and obtain the five-star rating for most World Cup stadiums, and the State of Qatar exceeded the requirements of FIFA by obtaining 3 certifications instead. Eight stadiums will host matches during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 , which will take place from 20 November to 18 December. Each venue has achieved a minimum four-star rating under GSAS, which was adopted as a sustainability rating system by FIFA and will ensure all tournament-related infrastructure meets stringent environmental standards. Stadium 974 will host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022, starting with Mexico versus Poland on 22 November. (QNA)