Houston-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.
Read all about it
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee launched the “New Year, New Hou” 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.
Hotels, motels and restaurants—including cafés and bars—based within the Houston-Galeveston Area Council’s boundaries can participate in the program through Feb. 28, according to the release.
Qualifying businesses can earn badges by implementing environmentally friendly practices pertaining to waste management, energy efficiency and natural resources, according to the committee’s Hospitality Sustainability Toolkit.
Verified businesses will be added to a “sustainable tourism guide” for World Cup visitors, per the release.
Quote of note
“For neighborhood restaurants like ours, sustainability isn’t a trend. It’s part of being a good community partner,” Shawn Gawle, chef and owner of Heights-based restaurant Camaraderie, said in a statement. “Programs 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.”
One more thing
The initiative is part of a larger collaboration between the World Cup Host Committee, Sports Authority Foundation and Impact Houston 26, which work together to oversee Houston's legacy as a tournament host, per the release.
“The FIFA World Cup is a once-a-generation opportunity, and through ‘New Year, New Hou,’ 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,” Elizabeth Carlson, the committee’s sustainability chair, said in a statement.
Interested businesses can visit the program’s website to learn more and fill out a participation survey.
