Green Issue Guidelines for 2012 Olympics

The organisers of the London Olympics have issued environmental friendly guidelines designed to mitigate the effect that publicity events taking place in the run-up to the 2012 games will have on the environment.

The new guidelines – the first in a series of such publications set to be released over coming months – are a component of London 2012’s goal to attain BS 8901, the British Standard for a Sustainable Event Management System – a standard which it had a part in the creation of.

The guidelines will potentially be of great use to those organising London Olympics-related events such as roadshows, conferences and workshops.

Environmental Sustainability

The organisation of the London Olympics is the responsibility of the Olympic Delivery Authority and LOCOG, the London Organising Committee of the Olympics Games and Paralympic Games. LOCOG’s Head of Environment and Sustainable Development, David Stubbs, explained the rationale behind the move:

“Between now and 2012, we will be holding any number of events, from press conferences to cultural events, and our guidelines will ensure they are arranged and run in the most sustainable way possible”, he said.

“We are fully committed to ensuring that our games and everything that happens in the run-up reaches the highest possible standards in terms of sustainability."

Sustainability itself refers to the implementation of enduring and positive changes to the methods of using man-made and natural resources in order to better present, universal quality of life, as well as that to come.

Olympic Events

The guidelines deal with a number of environmentally-relevant topics, among them:

• Where the Olympic PR events will be held (factoring in themes such as universal accessibility)
• The impact that the Olympic events will have on the area around the intended locations (taking into account factors like noise pollution)
• The disposal of waste materials created as a result of the events (e.g. separating out materials into relevant categories like recyclables, reusables etc)
• The safety/ security aspects of the events
• The issue of transport links to/ from the events (e.g. highlighting public transport over cars, minimising emissions)
• The energy used while the events are taking place (e.g. using renewable energy and low emission fuels where possible)

The Head of Market Development – Sustainability & Risk at BSI British Standards, Anne Hayes, commented: “BSI is delighted London 2012 has published its Sustainability Guidelines for individual corporate and public events and will be using BS 8901 to ensure the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will be as sustainable as possible.”

She added: “This sets a great example for any organisation wishing to reduce the impact of its events.”

According to London 2012, the Olympics themselves will also be subject to the implementation of environmentally friendly measures. A “full sustainability management system”, it said, would be in place during the events, the opening/ closing ceremonies, and when the Olympic torch is being relayed.