ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN HIGHLIGHTS

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Sustainable Event Management: Houston will implement a sustainability management system for World Cup-related events, drawing from international best practices (e.g., ISO 20121). A sustainable events playbook will help capture lessons learned and be available to local stakeholders for future event planning. 

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• Legacy-Focused System: A sustainability management system will guide event planning and execution, leaving a blueprint for future events citywide.

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• Tools & Tracking: Includes a sustainable events code of conduct, checklist, and knowledge-sharing templates.

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• Risk Preparedness: Environmental risks will be integrated into emergency response plans, with appropriate education materials for visitors.

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• Engagement: Local organizations and stakeholders will be invited to take part in various initiatives in the lead up to the 2026 events. 

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In addition to the event sites, hospitality toolkits will be shared to encourage local restaurants and hotels to take actions that support community and environmental well-being. 

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Energy & Climate: We are aiming to utilize 100% renewable electricity at key sites and to mitigate the scope 1 and 2 carbon footprint of the event. Houston also added innovation and resilience to our plan. We hope to showcase: 

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• Innovation in Action: Clean energy demonstrations at the Fan Fest or other innovations along the event’s “green corridor.”

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• Resilience: Our plan includes an emphasis on energy conservation and efficiency, heat mitigation, and nature-based solutions to climate impact. 

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Air, Water & Nature: The plan highlights Houston’s green spaces and includes measures to mitigate impacts to flora or fauna. Additionally, legacy projects like the sustainable soccer field guidelines, resilience efforts, air quality summit, bayou clean-ups, and “green corridor” aim to address air and water quality and promote healthy ecosystems. 

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Low Carbon Transportation: Working with local stakeholders, we plan to promote a positive experience for residents and visitors across public transit, bike trails, pedestrian routes, and micro-mobility options. The Green Corridor aims to connect downtown, the Fan Festival in EaDo, and NRG Park, offering a safe, engaging, and memorable journey for visitors and a lasting legacy for residents. This initiative showcases Houston’s leadership in urban greening, low-carbon transport, innovation, and community resilience. Objectives include: 

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• Celebrating Houston’s story and progress across sustainability, mobility, and resilient infrastructure.

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• Providing accessible routes between key venues.

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• Reducing heat and enhancing public spaces through shade, cooling, and nature-based features.

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• Inspiring learning moments on local ecosystems, biodiversity, and innovation.

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Waste Management & Circular Economy: Our goal is to maximize value recovery and material capture at the Fan Festival through material and packaging strategies, reuse, recycling, composting, and similar measures. The hospitality toolkit also includes a focus on waste reduction and diverting material from landfill. 

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Cross-Cutting Themes: In addition to innovation and resilience, the plan integrates: 

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• Youth and Schools: We have developed classroom toolkits, university participation opportunities, and sustainable soccer field guidelines to support youth engagement. 

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• Education, Awareness, and Capacity-Building: Our aim is to tell Houston’s story on sustainability to visitors and residents and increase awareness on the role of our eco-systems in enabling sports and play. 

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• Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Our hope is to build coalitions that last beyond the games and promote inclusion across our activities.