This section of the website sets out information about London 2012′s sustainability plans and useful links to external sites. There are also case studies into specific areas of London 2012′s work.
Case Study: Carbon
The preparations for and the staging of the London 2012 Games will inherently mean that there is a net increase in the UK’s contribution to global carbon emissions. Since 2006, the Commission has urged the London 2012 key stakeholders to treat carbon management as a strategic issue; to define, measure, reduce and mitigate the negative impacts in an open and transparent way. London 2012 is the first summer Games to do a carbon footprint study that takes into account embodied and operational emissions from bid win to closing ceremony. Carbon Footprint Study London 2012 published a Carbon Footprint Study in …
Case study: Construction materials
As a major construction project, the London 2012 Games will use a huge range of different materials. Some of these can have significant sustainability implications. In this case study we look at the commitments that have been made around the use of more sustainable construction materials. This includes where the Commission has recommended that policies to be created for certain materials and how London 2012 has responded. Commitments The ODA Sustainable Development Strategy and LOCOG’s Sustainable Sourcing Code set out four sustainability considerations when sourcing materials. These are: Responsible sourcing Use of secondary materials Minimising embodied impacts Healthy …
Case Study: Food
What people eat will be a core part of their experience of the Games. Around 14 million meals will be served during the Games in 2012. LOCOG is the first organising committee to publish a vision for Games-time catering, setting baseline standards for food sourcing. It has also set up a Food Advisory Group with representation from industry bodies, NGOs, commercial partners and government, to provide strategic, technical and practical support. Commercial partners LOCOG has three commercial partners who will play a part in delivering food and drink for the Games: Worldwide sponsor Coca Cola, exclusive branded provider of hot …
Case Study: Renewable energy
Commitments ODA The ODA committed that: Across the Site as a whole, sufficient on-site renewable energy generation capacity shall be installed to meet at least 20 percent of the annual carbon emissions of the venues and other buildings to be retained within the Site in the Legacy phase. (Planning Conditions, LTD1.3) This commitment was also contained within the ODA Sustainable Development Strategy and forms part of a wider commitment on carbon reduction. The ODA aspires to achieve a reduction in carbon emissions for the built environment of 50 per cent by 2013 (ODA Sustainable Development Strategy). This was also listed …
Case Study: Waste
Waste is an area where London 2012 has the potential to set new standards of sustainability – both in the construction sector and for large events. It is an area where anyone attending the Games will have a part to play. The London 2012 sustainability policy commits to catalysing waste infrastructure in East London through the power of the Games. Demolition and construction waste So far, the ODA have achieved industry-leading performance for demolition and construction waste. For demolition, the ODA have achieved in excess of the target of 90 percent reuse or recycling, set in their Sustainable Development Strategy. …
Learning Legacy
The Commission is delighted to present a series of short films as part of our learning legacy. The films are intended as an educational tool and it is our hope that they will inform and inspire the younger generation. Each film features an expert and a young person’s response on various issues concerning the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games: The Commission is grateful to the teachers and pupils of St. Joan of Arc Catholic school and members of the Greater London Authority’s Peer Outreach team for their valuable contributions to these films. We are also grateful for the input of …
Sustainability in Construction
The ODA has been successful in making the Olympic Park an example of sustainable construction in action through a combination of Commitment from its Board and management Clear policies and targets An effective sustainability management system Robust monitoring and assurance Sitewide contracts ODA Sustainable Development Strategy In February 2007 the ODA published its Sustainable Development Strategy. This set out clear targets for: carbon water waste materials biodiversity and ecology land, air, water, noise. Environment and Sustainability Management System These have been implemented through an Environment and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) developed with the ODA Delivery Partner. This has been certified …
Sustainable Event Management
The Olympic Games are the world’s largest sporting event and the Paralympic Games the world’s second largest. This gives particular emphasis to the challenge for London 2012 to meet its promise to host “truly sustainable Games”. British Standard: BS 8901 In order to help with making the Games sustainable, London 2012 has worked with the British Standards Institute to develop BS8901: (2009), a specification for a Sustainability Management System for Events, which is now being developed into an International Standard ISO 20121. BS 8901 is being taken up by many UK event management companies and event locations, such as Earls …
Sustainable Legacy
The London 2012 Games bid promised “the first sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games”. The London 2012 vision is “to use the power of the Games to inspire change”. What legacy means to the Commission The Commission expects legacy to embody the principles of sustainability and demonstrate exemplary practice. The Commission is focused on assuring a legacy from the Games that ultimately means: A better standard of living for Londoners in the host boroughs Quality affordable housing An increase in the skills base of people living and working in the UK A culturally diverse society that engages positively in work, community …
Useful links
London 2012 Delivery Bodies Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), responsible for building the Olympic and Paralympic venues and infrastructure London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), responsible for staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 Government Olympic Executive (GOE), the government department with overall responsibility for the Games, and other government departments and bodies Greater London Authority (GLA), responsible for ensuring London is ready for the Games and keeps running during Games-time, and other members of the GLA Group such as Transport for London Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), responsible for management and development of the Olympic …
