Soccer - Austria Aims For Green Soccer Championship AUSTRIA: April 15, 2008 VIENNA - 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 in a statement last week. Austria, co-hosting the soccer 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 percent 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. Campaigners say that extra road traffic will produce the same amount of harmful emissions in three weeks as Austria does in a year and point to a predicted 20 percent increase in short haul flights. "The big problem is the increase in traffic, this is what they should be focusing on," said Lydia Matzka-Saboi, spokeswoman for Global 2000/Friends of the Earth Austria. "Then they can really call themselves climate protectors." Some two million foreign fans are expected to descend on Austria and Switzerland for Euro 2008, which will run from June 7 to 29. (Editing by Clare Lovell) Story by Sylvia Westall REUTERS NEWS SERVICE