• vzbv warns world football association FIFA for misleading advertising statements about the World Cup in Qatar.
  • vzbv: Statements such as “completely climate-neutral tournament” or “low-emission means of transport” are consumer deception.
  • vzbv board member Pop: “FIFA’s greenwashing deserves the red card.”

The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) is warning the world football association FIFA.

From the point of view of consumer advocates, several advertising statements about the supposedly “climate-neutral” Football World Cup in Qatar are consumer deception. Specifically, it concerns statements such as “completely climate-neutral tournament” or “low-emission means of transport” as well as the claim that remaining emissions would be “compensated”.

“FIFA is trying to sell a major event in the desert as a climate showcase project. This greenwashing deserves a red card. In our opinion, it is impossible to host a completely climate-neutral World Cup. FIFA's green coat of paint doesn't change that."

vzbv board member Ramona Pop

Several misleading advertising claims

The consumer advocates are calling on FIFA to stop making several misleading advertising statements on its website in connection with the ticket shop for the World Cup. According to the vzbv, claims such as “completely climate-neutral FIFA tournament”, “energy-efficient stadiums”, “low-emission means of transport” or “sustainable waste treatment” are not sufficiently proven.

The environmental statements are formulated in German, but further information on these statements is only formulated in English or Arabic. From the vzbv's point of view, FIFA cannot therefore prove its sales promise, which would amount to misleading by omission.

Non-transparent and unverifiable statements

The vzbv also considers the statement that the remaining, unavoidable emissions would be compensated for in order to ensure a completely CO2-neutral event to be a consumer deception. This gives consumers the impression of an outstanding environmental performance. However, this is actually not possible and the compensation claim is neither transparent nor verifiable. 

Climate protection is important for purchasing decisions

“Due to the climate crisis, sustainability and environmental protection are very important to many consumers when making their purchasing decisions. Environmental advertising claims therefore have a very strong emotional impact. If a company decides to consciously advertise such aspects, the statements must be correct and clearly explained. Since FIFA won’t do this, we have to whistle them back.” 

Ramona Pop

Source: consumer advice center

Related to the topic:
Qatar: Yes, the World Cup stadiums are air-conditioned - but the comparison is flawed!


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