London 2012 issues first sustainability report

London 2012 has issued its first full sustainability report (A blueprint for change) covering the whole London 2012 programme for the calendar year 2010.

The report sets out the many ways in which London 2012 is taking sustainability considerations into new areas related to the building and staging of events, covering the five themes set out in the original sustainability plan first published in 2007 – climate change, waste, biodiversity, inclusion and healthy living.

Key highlights from the report include:

Olympic Park: Construction nearing completion, on time, on budget and leading the way in terms of sustainability. All venues and new infrastructure have been designed and built following stringent sustainability targets.

Low-carbon Games: Building on the ODA’s achievements in sustainable construction, London 2012 is on track to deliver a ‘low-carbon Games’. For example, through the use of a groundbreaking carbon footprint methodology to inform LOCOG’s venue design, choice of overlay materials and procurement strategy, LOCOG has more than halved one of the largest segments of its footprint – more than 100,000 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided.

Sourcing: LOCOG has put in place a comprehensive sustainable sourcing programme never seen before on this scale. Working closely with sponsors, licensees and suppliers LOCOG’s system enables businesses working with the Games to demonstrate their sustainability and enables LOCOG to monitor its supply chains effectively.

Inclusive Games: London 2012’s approach to recruiting volunteers and its ticketing programme demonstrate an inclusive approach to enable the widest possible group of people to be part of the Games.

LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton commented: ‘I’m proud that sustainability is an important part of how we do business. The work that has been done on integrating sustainability into food, logistics, transport, ceremonies, technology and event management has uncovered opportunities that have not been realised before in an Olympic or Paralympic context. This report outlines the work that has gone into making the Games as sustainable as possible. There is still much to be done, but we are well on track to achieve some fantastic results.’

John Armitt, ODA Chairman, said: ‘From the outset of the project, the Olympic Park has set new standards in sustainability, including the delivery of lightweight venues, the recycling or reuse of waste materials, using concrete with a high recycled content, and delivering materials by rail or water. We have achieved new standards for a project of this size and scale and have raised the bar for the industry.’

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘Aspiring to deliver sustainable Games has always been at the heart of our planning for 2012 and beyond. This report clearly shows that we have already set new groundbreaking standards for sustainable construction and development and mass participation event organisation.

‘However, we must not be complacent but continue to work closely with our 2012 partners and their sponsors to do all we can to realise the full potential of staging a truly sustainable Games. Achieving our aims would be a fantastic legacy to leave future Host Cities and the rest of the world.’

London 2012 Sustainability Ambassador and founder director of Forum for the Future, Jonathan Porritt, commented: ‘Amazingly, many people still keep questioning what sustainability means in practice. Well, the Report provides a pretty good answer, and speaks volumes about the way in which the very high ambition level for genuinely sustainable Games in 2012 is being translated into action on the ground – across such a wide range of issues and initiatives. There’s still a long way to go, and many things still have to be brought to fruition, but progress to date is truly impressive.’

The report conforms to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines and has been officially checked by the GRI to application level B. This is a first for any Games Organising Committee and creates an important legacy for future events.

For more information, contact: www.london2012.com.

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