London, UK (GLOBE-Net) - The organization behind the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games have announced their strategy to make the London event the “greenest Games in modern times.”

The strategy was announced by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) on January 23rd, exactly 2012 days before the London Games start. Key elements include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting waste, using environmentally friendly transportation, and re-using materials during venue construction.

Energy, Waste, and Water

Some specific initiatives include cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the Olympic Park and venues through the use of renewable energy, onsite energy generation, and efficient construction. Twenty percent of the Olympic Park and Village’s energy demand will be supplied by renewable energy following the Games in 2013.

• The Olympic Village will be 25 per cent more energy efficient than current Building Regulations

  
  

• A 120 metre turbine is proposed for the site, and will continue operating for 20 years

  
  

• An onsite Energy Centre will include an efficient Combined Cooling, Heating and Power Plant (CCHP) and biomass boilers to provide heating and hot water in the venues.

  
  

• Over 80km of walking and cycling trails will be created, with an emphasis on rail transportation and public transport.

Building venues will be constructed using Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM), the UK counterpart of the LEED green building rating system. Energy use will be reduced through natural ventilation and daylight systems, as well as energy monitoring and ‘smart metering’.

The ODA has also set goals for recycling of construction materials. At least twenty percent of materials by value are to be from a reused or recycled source. One quarter of the concrete aggregate used for venues and infrastructure will be recycled. As much as possible, timber will be sourced from certified sustainable sources. A full ninety percent of materials from pre-Olympic demolition will be recycled.

Water usage is another main component of the sustainability plan, with strategies to minimize water demand through management techniques and water-saving technologies. Alternative sources of non-potable water such as rainwater and grey water harvesting will be utilized where feasible. The overall goal is to reduce water use in permanent venues by 40 percent compared to current standards, and to reduce water use in residential developments by twenty percent.

Planning for the future

With any large event, and particularly with the Olympic Games, sustainable thinking can help to maximize future value for the city and create enduring legacies. Communities can be built or revitalized, and strategies for transportation and future use can ensure that healthy, livable neighborhoods are constructed instead of expensive buildings that fall into disuse.

The London ODA and other Olympic organizing committees are taking this into account by considering the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the games well into the future. As London Mayor Ken Livingstone said, “The 2012 Games are the perfect platform to demonstrate how high sustainability standards will help transform London into an exemplary, sustainable world city.”

The London Olympic Park is situated in one of the most economically deprived communities in the United Kingdom. Poor infrastructure, derelict buildings, and contaminated land are all present, and the area has an average unemployment rate of more than ten percent, twice the national average.

To address these issues, the ODA plans to design infrastructure, residential buildings, commercial areas and green spaces that will exist long after the Games. Government agencies are involved in efforts to provide skills training and employment opportunities to area residents, and support local businesses. The ODA’s procurement policy, to be published in the upcoming months, will include provisions for small and medium-sized enterprises, local firms, and disadvantaged business owners.

The Olympic venues will be a part of the city’s long term vision as the centerpiece of a network of green spaces connecting to the River Thames. Permanent bridges across waterways, roads, and railways will help improve accessibility for the community. The full London 2012 Sustainable Development Strategy is available here (PDF).

The Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) is also considering the social, environmental, and economic impacts of the 2010 Games, “incorporating the principles of sustainability in every aspect and decision at each level of our organization, right from the bid through to the games and beyond”, says Linda Coady, Vice President of Sustainability for VANOC and a speaker at GLOBE 2006.

For more on Vancouver’s plans and the history of the Olympic Games as a catalyst for sustainable development, see the GLOBE-Net Feature Article: The Sustainable Olympics.