Page 14 - Landscape-Issue148

PROJECT

ECO-FRIENDLY FOOTBALL

STADIUM IN LESOTHO

An eco-friendly football stadium has been constructed in Maseru, Lesotho, using
sustainably sourced timber. Harnessing timber’s renewability and carbon storage

properties, it is the first stadium in Africa and the first project in Southern Africa to
be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Project participants include
rise International, Kick4Life, In Loco, the Forest Stewardship Council and DNV
Business Assurance South Africa.

A stand of young Eucalyptus trees. Treated poles used for the stadium construction were sourced from FSC-certified plantations in Mpumalanga. Photo: MTO Forestry

amed the Stadium of Life, the This emphasises the construction sector’s prioritised locally sourced materials such as
structure has set new standards commitment to using materials with a the sandstone used for the seating areas. All
Nfor sustainable construction and lighter environmental footprint, lower materials, tools and machinery were locally
environmental responsibility. Its project greenhouse gas emissions and better sourced, except for the timber which was
certification has verified that the forest energy efficiency. imported from an FSC certified supplier
materials used come from FSC-certified Wood serves as a long-life carbon storage in South Africa, as there are no FSC timber
forests or recycled sources. Project mechanism as when trees are sustainably suppliers in Lesotho. Kick4Life’s priority was
certification also ensures the responsible harvested, the wood continues to store to source timber from a sustainable forest in
sourcing of timber, the promotion of carbon even when turned into another order to obtain FSC certification.
environmental stewardship and community product such as sawn timber, poles, pulp
development. or paper. One cubic metre of Eucalyptus Stadium design and construction
wood captures 880 kg of carbon dioxide, The design and first ten months of the
Environmental stewardship and releasing 640 kg of oxygen back into the stadium construction was undertaken by In
the benefits of timber atmosphere, safely locking away 240kg of Loco, together with community members.
The treated Eucalyptus poles used for captured carbon. In addition, new saplings This was an important aspect of the project,
construction were sourced from FSC- take up carbon dioxide faster than the older since both Kick4Life and rise International
certified plantations in Mpumalanga, South trees they replace. focus on youth empowerment, skills
Africa. They form the west and south stands The environment and job creation training and capacity building in their
of the stadium, the north biodiversity were two key aspects of the design and efforts to reduce poverty through
stand and a 160 metre perimeter fence. construction process, and rise International entrepreneurship and job creation.

12 Landscape SA • Issue 148 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za