World conference on sport and the environment underway

Centred on the theme ‘From plan to action’, the three day conference is organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Beijing 2008 Organising Committee (BOCOG), in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The programme includes presentations from past and future Organising Committees - including London 2012 - as well as a detailed look at Beijing’s environmental plans.

The IOC is committed to helping protect the environment, especially so athletes have clean and healthy conditions in which to train.

It is also focussed on making sure the Games themselves do not have a negative impact on the environment, working with Organising Committees, International Sports Federations and TOP sponsors to promote sustainable practices.

Jacques Rogge, who received a ‘Champion of the Earth’ award earlier this year, said: ‘As leader of the Olympic Movement, we feel a strong social responsibility to actively promote a healthy environment and to set good standards.

‘Over the past 15 years the IOC has become a leader in environmental stewardship…We are demonstrating that sport and, specifically, the Olympic Games, can serve as a catalyst for environmental improvement.’

Read more on the IOC website