London 2012 Olympics Green Games – Fact or Fiction?
Tower Bridge at night
As the dust settles we can begin to judge whether the London 2012 Olympics were the greenest games ever.
I have been scouting around for information on the subject; the article best put together is the one below.
I love the idea of awarding medals for the categories they succeeded in: share your thoughts below.
London 2012 Olympics: How green are the ‘most sustainable Olympics ever?’
By Louise Gray.The London Olympics has vowed to be the most sustainable games ever. So how are they doing so far?
Buildings – GOLD
Instead of being made of virgin steel, the circle around the stadium consists of old, abandoned gas pipes. Two thirds of the steel used in the entire roof is recycled, cutting construction costs by a cool half a million quid. Overall a tenth as much steel was used as its equivalent in Beijing four years ago. The velodrome used sustainably sourced timber and natural light and ventilation. But the aquatics centre is all concrete and steel and just passed sustainability standards.Sponsorship – BRONZE
The Games could not happen at such scale without the sponsorship of big corporations like Coca-Cola and BP. But many believe taking money from businesses involved in oil, nuclear power, sugary drinks, or any one of a number of other controversial area tarnishes the spirit of the Games.It is certainly true that many companies, like Dow chemicals and Adidas, have been accused of human rights abuses. But many have used the Games to show big corporations can lead the way in terms of cutting energy, for example the hybrid BMWs used to ferry athletes around.Recycling – SILVER
Some 97 per cent of waste from construction was diverted from landfill. For the Games itself, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) have a zero waste to landfill policy and aim to recycle, re-use of compost 70 per cent of that. At the moment they are achieving 73 per cent, which if true is very good, especially when you consider that most events have a recycling rate of about 15 per cent.Renewable energy – DISQUALIFIED
LOCOG said they would deliver 20 per cent of electricity during the Games from new local renewable sources, but have delivered very little.Carbon emissions – SILVER
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) set a target of 50 per cent cut in carbon emissions compared to if the Olympics was built business as usual. This has been achieved to 47 per cent through a combination of energy conservation and using green electricity suppliers.Transport – SILVER
As the first public transport games, London is doing pretty well so far with the Tube, trains and buses all running smoothly. The active travel programme is also encouraging people to walk and cycle as much as possible.Food – SILVER
Wildlife – GOLD
Water – SILVER
Legacy – GOLD
The London Olympics is the first to set up a Legacy Development Corporation right from the start. A key part of this is to continue the commitment to sustainability in buildings, business and transport.For the complete article see … Telegraph
I think it is obvious that we have achieved a great deal through these 2012 Olympic Games by concentrating on green issues and sustainability, there is still a huge amount to be done globally but that shouldn’t stop us trying to improve things as we move along.
Next up we have the Paralympic Games starting on the 29th August – let’s hope for more of the same great entertainment as at the London 2012 Olympics.
London 2012 Olympics Green Games – do you think fact or fiction, share your thoughts by commenting below, many thanks.