Austria aims for green championship

Austria has said energy efficient stadiums, tap water and ethical sponsorship will help it host an environmentally-friendly Euro 2008 despite criticism that organisers' plans are not green enough.

Corporate sponsors will fund schemes to compensate for the 40,000 tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide emitted by the three-week event in Austria, the government said.

"This model is unique in Europe because it gives investors the possibility of carrying out domestic environment projects with the help of private financing," Environment Minister Josef Proell said.

Austria, co-hosting the championship with Switzerland, has said it will also cut down on waste by producing 4.6 million reusable drinking cups and will reduce emissions from its stadiums.

Organisers are awarding green coloured footballs to sponsors who promote climate protection measures.

Environmentalists are not very impressed, however.

"We think it is good that these measures exist but it's more PR that is behind it," said Niklas Schinerl, spokesman for Greenpeace in Austria.

Austria prides itself on being green. Over 70 per cent of its electricity is produced using renewable sources thanks to investment in hydropower. Austrians are also avid recyclers.

So environmentalists argue Euro 2008 organisers should do more.

They should encourage fans to travel by train and cut down on unnecessary travel rather than champion green balls and tap water fountains to save on plastic mineral water bottles, they said.