| An
unprecedented agreement between London 2012 and leading environmental
groups is being signed today, signifying a public commitment to
making a London Games the greenest ever.
The agreement is between global
conservation organisation WWF, BioRegional, sustainable soloutions
experts and London 2012, the organisation bidding to bring the Olympic
Games and Paralympic Games to London.
The capital’s candidate
file, to be published on Friday (19/11) will include proposals for
a ‘One Planet Olympics’: making the games zero waste
and low carbon, and bringing about long-term environmental and social
benefits to London long after the games have ended.
The agreement sets out the principles
by which London in 2012 would deliver the most sustainable Games
the world has ever seen.
London is the only one of the
five Candidate Cities (London, Madrid, Moscow, New York and Paris)
that is using WWF and BioRegional’s One Planet Living principles
to ensure a sustainable Games.
One Planet Living recognises that
if everyone in the world lived as we do in Europe, we would need
three planets to support us. Therefore we need to reduce our impact
by two thirds to a sustainable and globally equitable level. Drawing
on these principles, London 2012 is proposing a range of sustainable
development themes, including:
• Low carbon Games –
to reduce energy demand and meet it from zero/low carbon and renewable
sources and to showcase how the Olympic Games are adapting to a
world increasingly affected by climate change
• Zero waste Games - to avoid landfill by reducing waste at
source, then reusing, recycling and recovering all remaining waste
• Conservation of biodiversity - to conserve natural habitats
and wildlife, improve the quality of urban greenspace and to bring
nature closer to people
• Sustainable transport – to reduce the need for travel
and provide sustainable alternatives to the private car
• Sustainable legacy – to promote health and wellbeing
through an integrated package of sporting, environmental and cultural
initiatives.
Robert Napier, Chief Executive
of WWF-UK, said:
'Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic
Games is not just about avoiding harm to the environment and local
communities - it is a real opportunity to bring about lasting environmental
and social improvements. London's bid has recognised this from the
start. This is why we are keen to work together with London 2012
and partners to ensure a London Games produces a sustainable legacy
which we can be proud of.'
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of London
2012, said:
'I am delighted that WWF-UK and
BioRegional have decided to support our bid. A London Games in 2012
would create a lasting legacy for sport, the environment, and for
local, national and global communities. We will rely on the help
of experts like WWF-UK and BioRegional as we approach the IOC decision
next July. I believe the environmental work is a key aspect of our
candidate file.'
Sue Riddlestone, Director of BioRegional, said:
‘This is a fantastic opportunity
for London to show how we can hold the greenest Olympics ever.’
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