London 2012 - Sustainability strategy launched

 
The strategy is being published on 23 January – 2012 days to go until the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The strategy is unprecedented for a development of this nature and signals a step-change in the delivery of sports facilities in the UK. It will ensure that, during the construction phase, the ODA will set new standards for the sustainable design and construction of major sports venues and infrastructure used for the Games. It sets challenging performance measures for tackling climate change, maximising use of sustainable transport, minimising and re-using waste.

By planning Games and legacy together now – five-and-a-half years out from 2012 - the strategy will also ensure a lasting social, sustainable and environmental legacy for east London remains after 2012.

The key parts of the strategy include:

Climate Change:
Aiming to minimise the carbon emissions associated with the Olympic Park and venues through a 50% reduction in carbon dioxide by 2013. This will be achieved through a combination of on-site energy generation and renewable energy with the project future-proofed so it can go even further as new technology allows.

Waste and materials:
To reduce waste through design - 90% of demolition material to be reused or recycled and at least 20 per cent of materials used in permanent venues and associated works and the Olympic Village to be recycled.

Water:
To ensure efficient water use, reuse and recycling, with a target for a 40 per cent reduction in the demand for potable water in permanent venues and a 20 per cent reduction target for residential development.

Transport and mobility:
To prioritise walking, cycling and the use of public transport to and within the Olympic Park and venues, including building over 80km of walking and cycling routes and to aspire to 50 per cent of construction materials to be transported to the Park by water and rail.

David Higgins, Chief Executive of the ODA said:

"We want to ensure London 2012 is remembered not only as two weeks of fantastic sporting action, but also as the 'Greenest Games' in modern times.

"This strategy is unprecedented for a development of this nature and signals a watershed moment in the delivery of sports facilities in the UK. We are meeting tomorrow's requirements today - far exceeding current policy targets.

"Sustainability runs through all we are doing - through the design and construction of venues, the sourcing and use of energy, the re-use of waste materials and the use of sustainable transport routes such as the waterways in the centre of the Olympic Park."

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London said:

"The 2012 Games are the perfect platform to demonstrate how high sustainability standards will help transform London into an exemplary, sustainable world city, in line with my London Plan. The prize for hosting the 2012 Games will be to transform one of the most derelict and disadvantaged parts of Europe into a revitalised, sustainable, new urban quarter fit for the 21st century.

"To achieve this, the Olympic partners will need to set the highest standards of design, quality, resource management and environmental protection, and I welcome the approach set out in this document which will contribute towards my long term vision for a sustainable London."

Tessa Jowell, Olympics Minister said:

"The Olympics will create one of the largest city parks in Europe for 150 years, reinvigorate the waterways and enhance biodiversity.

"I am determined to ensure that the Games we deliver are not only sensational, but also socially, economically and environmentally sustainable."

Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee, said:

"We will host our Games in a new era aimed at staging the Games in more sustainable ways - a new approach for maximising long term social, economic and environmental gains for the benefit of local and international communities as well as athletes.

"We must be ambitious about the benchmarks we set ourselves, and the ODA's sustainability strategy is a very good example of our ambition. Sustainability and caring for our planet and its resources is a global issue and we intend to set the very highest standards in sustainability and legacy for other Games to follow."

Robert Napier, Chief Executive of the WWF, said:

"WWF and BioRegional continue to support the Olympic family in London to work towards a One Planet Olympics and the delivery of the greenest Games yet. We welcome the ODA's sustainable development strategy as a first step towards the fuller, programme-wide plan that will emerge later this spring."

David Miliband, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said:

"This is a really ambitious strategy which will deliver the most sustainable Games in history and a sustainable legacy for the UK. I have no doubt the ODA will deliver the commitments set out in this strategy and more. It will be a great achievement."

Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry said:

"We want London 2012 to be the sustainable Games. This strategy from the ODA shows us how. The best of British in science, technology and construction will be on display to the whole world. Delivering a Games to remember and a legacy to celebrate."

To provide assurance and monitoring of London's Olympic pledge to host the most sustainable Games ever, the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 has been announced today, along with the appointment of Shaun McCarthy as Chair.

Reporting direct to the Olympic Board, the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 will monitor sustainable development across the delivery, staging and legacy aspects of the 2012 Programme.

This commission is the first independent assurance body set up in association with any Olympic Games or Paralympic Games and the first known body of its kind set up in relation to a major infrastructure programme in the world.

Shaun McCarthy, Chair of the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012, said:

"The Commission is tasked with providing independent assurance and commentary in order to enable the sustainability objectives of the London 2012 programme to be achieved and to support a sustainable legacy. We look forward to working with the ODA to meet this challenge."

The Sustainable Development Strategy also includes how the ODA will minimise any adverse impacts on land, water, noise, and air quality and how the Park will be designed and built to be accessible and inclusive.

It sets out how new employment and business opportunities locally, regionally and nationally will be created and how the design and construction of the Olympic Park and venues will provide for healthy lifestyle opportunities.

Biodiversity and Ecology
To protect and enhance the biodiversity and ecology of the Lower Lea Valley and other venue locations.

• Ecological management plans, including wildlife species protection and tree preservation orders.
• Re-profiling of the waterways, extending wetland habitats

Supporting communities
To create new, safe, mixed-use public space, housing and facilities appropriate to the demographics and character of the Lower Lea Valley, adaptable to future climates.

• Creation of the largest new urban park in Europe for 150 years
• Between 30 and 35 new, permanent bridges built across the waterways, railways and roads that dissect the site
• Safe areas created by avoiding overshadowed areas and maximising clear sightlines and lighting

Materials
To identify, source, and use environmentally and socially responsible materials.

• At least 20 per cent of materials used in permanent venues and the Olympic Village will have previously been used somewhere else, or be a recycled product
• Maximise timber from sustainable sources with all timber used from known, legal sources, with clear supply chain evidence.

Access
To create a highly accessible Olympic Park and venues by meeting the principles of inclusive design.

• Inclusive design principles and access strategies for each venue
• Shallow gradients within the Park ensure accessibility

Land, water, noise and air
To optimise positive and minimise adverse impacts on land, water, noise, and air quality.

• Industry-leading Environmental Standard created for contractors

Employment and Business
To create new employment and business opportunities locally, regionally and nationally.

• Training and employment initiatives to facilitate UK businesses and local people's access to the opportunities presented by the Games
• Procurement of work, goods and services is demonstrably transparent, fair and open to a diverse range of suppliers

Health and wellbeing
To provide for healthy lifestyle opportunities during the construction of, and in the design of, the Olympic Park and venues.

• Healthy lifestyle opportunities for the construction workforce
• Extensive recreational and sporting facilities accessible and appropriate to local communities, with emphasis on education and access for schools
• Hazards and hazardous materials identified and reviewed so that they can be eliminated, minimised or managed

Inclusion
To involve, communicate and consult effectively with stakeholders and the diverse communities surrounding the Olympic Park and venues.

• Programme of communication and consultation with the communities neighbouring the Olympic Park

Ends

Notes to Editors:

1. The ODA is the single delivery body responsible for creating the venues and infrastructure for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012.
2. The ODA objectives support the sustainability themes set out in the London 2102 Sustainability Policy, which is based around the 'Towards a One Planet Olympics', developed with WWF and BioRegional.
3. The ODA published its Draft sustainability principles and progress report for consultation in August 2006.
4. Shaun McCarthy has been appointed Chair of the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012. Shaun McCarthy is a leading advocate of sustainable business practices. Having had lengthy careers with Shell UK and BAA, Shaun has more than 20 years experience in commercial business and has spent the past 10 years as a senior manager specialising in sustainable purchasing and construction and assessing the impact of major infrastructure business on climate change. Shaun is an honorary commissioner with the London Sustainable Development Commission and chaired the LSDC 2012 Sub-Group in 2006.

Media Enquiries
Contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on 020 3 2012 700.