Towards a One Planet 2012

Overview

The sustainability strategy for London’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games aims to make it by far the greenest Games the world has ever seen.

Green Bid
BioRegional worked with the bid’s environment team to develop and write the vision and strategy for the Games which impressed independent environmental experts. The ‘Towards a One Planet Olympics’ bid report details solutions for: zero waste and low carbon strategies, local supply networks, sustainable transport, biodiversity and an ongoing legacy for a sustainable community.

Green Delivery

• Strategy review and practical advice: BioRegional has been active in helping to deliver the vision. Working with WWF, who also support us, we have given detailed critical comment into the development of the programme-wide London 2012 Sustainability Plan which provides a framework for sustainability across the entire London 2012 programme. 

• Olympic Park Reuse Strategy: Following the production by BioRegional of an Olympic Park Reuse Strategy in 2009/10, an implementation pilot was conducted in spring and summer 2010, funded by Veolia Environmental Services Ltd. The learning from this pilot was incorporated into the strategy and it is hoped that the London Reuse Network will be able to use our findings to improve reuse infrastructure in East London.

• Venue/ Park design: we have provided comments and input to planning applications for venues and parkland spaces including the new legacy cycle route.

• Standardised Carbon Footprint Method: in conjunction with Best Forward and Sustainable Events we have created a proposal for standardising the Carbon Footprinting of events. This will be an excellent legacy from London 2012 to support events small and large to manage their carbon impact.

• Olympic Park Legacy: we have provided formal comments on the Olympic Park Legacy Masterplan Framework to encourage consistency between the legacy plans and the sustainability vision. Work continues with OPLC to secure and extend the legacy.

• LOCOG Communications: working with LOCOG, discussions have begun on ways of spreading sustainability stories throughout the Olympic Park and ensuring both paid and volunteer staff are aware of the One Planet Olympics vision.

• One Planet Experience centres
BioRegional is one of four organisations awarded funding by Defra to deliver projects that use the London 2012 story to inspire more sustainable lifestyles. The One Planet Experience project will feature two interactive sustainability centres to inspire local community leaders, OIympians and Paralympians to save energy, reduce waste and to become environmental champions.

• The first One Planet Experience centre will open its doors to community leaders and local residents at the BedZED eco-village in Sutton in 2011. The centre will tell the London 2012 sustainability story, inspiring visitors to live greener lifestyles, and helping Sutton residents to feel more connected with the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

• A second centre will open during the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, supported by Olympic sponsor Coca-Cola, and will encourage athletes to make sustainability pledges and champion sustainable behaviours in their communities. Find out more.


London 2012 will demonstrate the power of the Games to bring people together, and leave a sustainable legacy to be proud of. We look forward to continuing to work with the London 2012 team on this journey.

For more info about the London 2012 Olympics Games go to www.london2012.com.