Joint ambitions to make the 2010 and 2012 Games sustainable

The two organising committees; VANOC (Vancouver Organising Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games) and LOCOG (London Organising Committee for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games) were represented at a round table discussion, hosted by the Canadian High Commission at Canada House on 8 December.

Also present were experts from a number of organisations including Demos, the London Sustainability Exchange, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum. Together they explored the issues the Games face in the 21st century and discussed ways for closer working together. All participants agreed that the Games should leave a very positive legacy, especially in terms of influencing behaviour and promoting understanding of sustainability.

The subject of sustainability is a far reaching one, extending beyond merely physical attributes, such as creating environmentally friendly buildings. Participants agreed that the Games provide a hugely powerful opportunity to connect with and communicate to the public, on a broad range of social and environmental issues. Both Organising Committees are working on ways to engage, inform and educate individuals, whether they work on the project, visit the Games, or are impacted in some other way.

In a world where they are now often seen as major celebrities and role models, athletes also have a key role to play. They can share the sustainability story with younger people, relating it not only to sport, but to their lifestyles and the personal choices they make.

Both Vancouver and London are on a very similar time track in their preparation for the Games, which offers the unique opportunity to combine thinking and collaborate on key issues, such as how to measure sustainability and exploring ways that carbon emissions can be mitigated and offset.

John Elkington, Founder and Chief Entrepreneur, SustainAbility facilitated the event and commented, "VANOC and LOCOG are making the most of the opportunity to begin working together early on. This is crucial, since one thing everyone agreed, was that options to do radically new things begin to close off amazingly quickly, as the initial planning and design decisions are taken. These two great cities recognise that they have an unparalleled opportunity not only to leave local legacies, but also to transform the way the entire Olympic and Paralympic movement plans and runs future events. That would be a truly global legacy."

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