London 2012 falls short on sustainability
- Published: 30 June 2008 11:48
- Author: Damian Arnold
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- Last Updated: 30 June 2008 11:48
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The Olympic Delivery Authority needs to go further to make the London 2012 Olympics more eco-friendly by setting more ambitious targets, says a new document from the London Assembly.
A London Assembly Environment Committee report urges the ODA to aim for a zero carbon and waste games with more use of renewable energy such as wind turbines, biomass and waste to energy. The report calls for more specific targets for waste minimisation, promoting reuse, recycling and the recovery of materials.
"While good work has been done to reduce carbon emissions, the Committee expresses concern that the carbon strategy is not yet finished and that this may result in missed opportunities," says the committee report.
And creating a waste infrastructure for the games should be used as the basis for permanent waste recycling for the whole of the East London as a lasting benefit from the games.
"Over £9.3billion of public money is being spent to prepare for and stage the 2012 Games – so it is vital that this funding provides an environmentally sustainable legacy," says committee chair Darren Johnson.
"Every effort must now be taken to make the most of opportunities and realise the vision of the most eco-friendly Games ever."
The report praised the ODA's record on construction waste minimisation and recycling so far as "significant success story".
