\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHouston-area hospitality businesses can now earn points for their sustainability practices as part of a new program that aims to limit environmental harm ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n
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The FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee launched the \u201cNew Year, New Hou\u201d initiative Jan. 12 to mitigate the environmental impact of tourism during the tournament, which will run from June 11 to July 19, per a news release. Roughly 500,000 people are expected to visit Houston to watch the games, Community Impact previously reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hotels, motels and restaurants\u2014including caf\u00e9s and bars\u2014based within the Houston-Galeveston Area Council\u2019s<\/a> boundaries can participate in the program through Feb. 28, according to the release.<\/p>\n Qualifying businesses can earn badges by implementing environmentally friendly practices pertaining to waste management, energy efficiency and natural resources, according to the committee\u2019s Hospitality Sustainability Toolkit.<\/a><\/p>\n Verified businesses will be added to a \u201csustainable tourism guide\u201d for World Cup visitors, per the release.<\/p>\n Quote of note<\/p>\n \u201cFor neighborhood restaurants like ours, sustainability isn\u2019t a trend. It\u2019s part of being a good community partner,\u201d Shawn Gawle, chef and owner of Heights-based restaurant Camaraderie<\/a>, said in a statement. \u201cPrograms like the Hospitality Sustainability Toolkit make it easier for small, locally-owned restaurants to take meaningful steps that reduce waste, save resources and meet the expectations of visitors coming to Houston from around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n One more thing<\/p>\n The initiative is part of a larger collaboration between the Houston Host Committee, Sports Authority Foundation<\/a> and Impact Houston 26, which work together to oversee Houston’s legacy as a tournament host, per the release.<\/p>\n \u201cThe FIFA World Cup is a once-a-generation opportunity, and through \u2018New Year, New Hou,\u2019 we want to help Houston businesses not only prepare for an influx of global visitors, but also strengthen their operations in ways that will benefit them and the community long after the final match is played,\u201d Elizabeth Carlson, the committee\u2019s sustainability chair, said in a statement.<\/p>\n