SOUTH Africa intends to hold the greenest ever World Cup in 2010  and in so doing, set a precedent for future events in terms of low environmental impact and a positive social and economic legacy.

This is the aim of Green Goal 2010, a joint business plan of the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town, which is to culminate in the adoption of a Green Goal 2010 action plan in March 2008.  The plan will be the result of five workshops attended by relevant stakeholders and coordinated by Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) on behalf of the province, the city and funders, the Konrad Adenhauer Foundation (KAS). The action plan identifies six core Green Goal 2010 projects for Cape Town and the Western Cape, each with measurable targets, key milestones, primary activities, budgets, private sector opportunities, roles and responsibilities. They are:

* Green building & sustainable procurement:  identifying innovative interventions to minimise the carbon footprint of the world cup precinct
* Landscaping & biodiversity: bringing a unique Cape flavour to the landscaping and beautification of the soccer precinct
* Integrated waste management: promoting behaviour changes through waste reduction, separation and recycling
* A green rating system for the hospitality sector (GreenStaySA): saving resources through minimising energy, water use and waste in hotels
* Carbon offset initiative: seeking to offset local and international travel emissions
* Sustainable tourism: promoting an environmentally and socially responsible approach to tourism. When Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup, it introduced greening under the Green Goal branding with the aim of a carbon neutral event. Insiders say it will be difficult for South Africa to match Germany's environmental achievements, but it could show the way forward with respect to social and economic justice. From an environmental angle, Green Goal 2010 will involve making sure the impact of the event is minimised, that the longer-term impact of the permanent infrastructure leaves a positive legacy and that offsetting takes place through suitable carbon saving projects around the country. The following have been identified as the biggest environmental polluters:
* Transport – the biggest culprit –effective public transport being critical in reducing pollution from private cars.
* Resource use by hotels and B&Bs during the event is the second biggest area of concern.
* Stadium design and construction needs to be resource efficient and materials need to be chosen carefully.
* Procurement of goods associated with the event need to be environmentally and socially sound.
* Waste reduction through fewer or no packaging and recycling.