Beijing and Green Olympic Games

　　September, 2004

    Mr. Yu Xiaoxuan,

    Environmental Activities, BOCOG

    Beijing in its bid has put forward "Green Olympics" as one of the three themes for 2008 Olympic Games. The aim is to incorporate the concept of sustainable development into the preparations and the organization of the Games, to protect the environment, conserve resources and maintain the ecological balance. The preparation will be used as a catalyst to enhance the sustainable, coordinated development of the economy, society and environment of Beijing and China as a whole. Also importantly, the public environmental awareness will be improved. A rich environmental legacy will be left to Beijing and the world sports. Now I would like to review with you the relationship between environment and sport, and give you a brief report on our progress in preparing for the Green Olympics in 2008.

    Olympic Games and Environment

    Historic review

    Modern Olympics started in 1896 whereas environment became a public concern in the 1950s and the 1960s. In 1972, the first United Nations Conference on Human and Environment was held in Stockholm. With more progress made in the environment field, people have come to notice the close link between environment and sport.

    23rd Olympics in Los Angeles: The Games organizers made some special arrangements of the competition schedule and routes in order to reduce the vehicle pollution.

    24th Olympics in Soul: Energy structure was adjusted to control the pollution caused by coal-burning. A large-scale project was conducted to treat the water of the Hanjiang River. Other measures were also taken during the Games time, such as temporarily closing some industries. Coal burning was reduced by 2/3 after the Games.

    17th Winter Olympics in Lillehammer 1994: It was called the first Green Winter Olympics. A lot of work was done to protect the vegetation and wildlife, to prevent vehicle pollution and recycle the waste.

    26th Olympics in Atlanta in 1996: Besides using a forecasting and reporting system, the city reduced the use of private cars and transported the spectators by public buses. These measures were very effective in ensuring a good air quality.

    27th Olympics in Sydney in 2000: Sydney is widely praised for putting forward the concept of "Green Olympics". Sydney Olympic Stadium covers an area of over 200 ha, of which 40 ha was once polluted by industrial and domestic wastes. A special path was built for the wild frogs when constructing the Olympic road. Photovoltaic technology was used to provide lighting for some venues. Environmentally-friendly materials were used to build the Olympic facilities. Targets were set for classifying and recycling solid waste and using recycled paper. No privates cars were allowed for watching the competitions and special lanes were built for public transport.

    In the past 20 years, the host cities have learned more about the importance of environment for the Olympic Games and tried to incorporate it in Games preparation and urban improvement. Through their great efforts, the previous cities have created a good environment for the Games success and therefore set a very good example for Beijing.

    The environmental quality of air, water and soil affects the competition while the Games itself may have negative impacts on environment. But preparing for the Games also presents a good opportunity. Beijing will make full use of the popularity of sports and the preparation opportunity to enhance the environmental protection and improve the sustainable development of Beijing.

    The International Olympic Committee and its environmental policy

    In 1992, the Environment and Development conference was held in Rio de Janeiro and attended by the representatives of many governments and international organizations. It was at this conference that the guiding document Agenda 21 was approved by all parties. It forms the basis on which the national governments and organizations formulate their own environmental policies.

    In 1994, environment became the third pillar of the Olympic Movement along with sport and environment. In 1995 the Sport and Environment Commission was established by IOC. At present there are 18 members.

    In 1996 the Olympic Charter was amended and the 13th paragraph in Rule 2 says: "…the IOC sees that the Olympic Games are held in conditions which demonstrate a responsible concern for environmental issues and encourages the Olympic Movement to demonstrate a responsible concern for environmental issues, takes measures to reflect such concern in its activities and educates all those connected with the Olympic Movement as to the importance of sustainable development."

    In October 1999, the IOC organized the third World Conference on Sport and Environment in Rio de Janeiro and approved the guiding document the Olympic Movement Agenda 21. It reflects the spirit of Olympism that Olympic sport originates from nature and serves to build "a peaceful and better world".

    The Olympic Movement Agenda 21 is meant to use the universal sport to promote sustainable development in the world, to encourage frugality and stop over-consumption, to encourage all people especially young people to take actions and protect environment. It calls for the Olympic Games to be held in a way that the principles of sustainable development are implemented and the sustainability of the host city is enhanced. It consists of four chapters and sets out clearly the IOC's environmental requirements of organizing the Olympic Games. It explains in detail the concept and content of "Environment" known as the third pillar of the Olympic Movement

    Beijing's Preparations for the "Green Olympics"

    "Green Olympics" is designated as one of the three themes of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Bearing in mind the principles in the Olympic Movement Agenda 21 and the specific local conditions, our preparations in the past two years have been focusing on the following three areas:

    I. Support Beijing Municipality in improving the urban environment

    The Beijng bidding committee, based on the Games requirements, has worked closely with the Beijing municipal government on setting up the environmental goals:

    - Enhance the environmental infrastructure development during the Games preparation and operation

    - Improve the local ecologic condition

    - Promote the sustainable, coordinated development of economy, society and environment.

    With great efforts, Beijing has implemented its nine-phase environmental improvement plan extending from 1998 to 2003. All projects have been progressing smoothly and the goals of comprehensive environmental management have been achieved at this initial stage. Air pollution has been effectively controlled. In 2003 the air quality of 61.4% of the days is classified as Grade II or better, which was 27.4% in 1998.Water environment treatment has improved. Waste water treatment rate reaches 56% in urban and suburban areas, a significant increase from 22% in 1998. More progress has been made in ecological protection. Total forest coverage rises to 47.5%, which was 40% in 1998.

    Beijing is developing rapidly but the infrastructure is underdeveloped and the local environment is not as good compared with the developed countries. Hosting the Olympic Games brings both challenge and opportunity to Beijing. In order to meet the Games requirements, the biding committee has developed the environmental plans with the Beijing municipal government. BOCOG will communicate Beijing's environmental progress, urgency and achievements to the IOC and the public,then provide their feedback to the municipal government.

    BOCOG will act in accordance with the national environmental policies, laws and standards and support the city's environmental efforts. Recently many areas in China is facing an energy shortage so over seven national ministries like the National Development and Reform Commission have initiated a national campaign to reduce the use of electricity by one degree. BOCOG thus quickly responded and called on the Olympic hotels to lower the air-conditioned temperature by one centigrade. This means 10% cut of electricity consumption.

    II. Incorporate the concept of sustainable development into the preparation and operation of 2008 Olympic Games.

    Although preparing for the Olympic Games is a huge, complicated project, it must be guided by the fundamental policy of environmental protection. The related laws and standards must be obeyed in order to protect the environment and resources and maintain the ecological balance. To minimize the negative impacts on environment and ecological system, the principles of sustainable development must be considered in implementing the major projects such as venue construction, marketing, procurement, logistics, accommodation, catering, signature events, etc. As committed in the bid to present an excellent Green Games in 2008, BOCOG will establish a scientific mode of environmental management in compliance with ISO 14001 requirements. Recently our environmental policy has been issued, which was signed off by Mr. Liu Qi, President of BOCOG. We are now developing an environmental management system to ensure the fulfillment of the environmental commitments in the bid.

    Regarding the venue construction, some steps have been taken to minimize the related negative impacts:

    - The environmental guidelines for the Olympic venues have been formulated to ensure the work meet or exceed the relevant national standards. These standards are stricter than the current national standards. Some are even close to the international standards. All key environmental aspects have been covered such as water conservation and protection, energy saving and using clean energy, landscaping and ecological protection, use of the environmentally-friendly building materials, solid waste management, noise pollution etc.

    - Bidder's environmental responsibilities are clearly defined in the bid documents. Environmental assessment is required. The facilities for pollution prevention must be designed, constructed and operated simultaneously with the major construction work. The bidder has to take the relevant financial responsibilities.

    - A set of green construction guidelines has been developed. The venue owners must carry out stringent measures to prevent the pollution of fly dust, waste water, construction waste and noise caused by construction work.

    - BOCOG has organized a seminar for the suppliers and venue owners to meet and exchange information. Beijing 2008 Olympics has attracted the attention of the environmental agencies and suppliers worldwide. They are all active in providing their technology and products for the use of the Olympics. On the other hand, the venue owners also want to learn about the advanced environmental technologies. Therefore, this meeting provides a good platform for the suppliers to participate in the Olympic services and for the owners to select the best technology and product they need.

    - More guidelines will be compiled to guide the environmental management of the major Olympic activities including marketing, procurement, logistics, accommodation, catering and big events. After the Games, the new mode of environmental management, new technologies and standards can be continually implemented as the Olympic legacy.

    III. Improve the environmental awareness of the public

    Environment is improved not only through engineering measures but also dependent on strong public awareness and participation. With its global popularity, the Olympic Games brings an excellent opportunity for the environmental communication and education.

    BOCOG is to communicate to the world the following environmental messages:

    - Environmental management of the Olympic Games. Various environment issues occur with the progress of all major activities such as venue construction, marketing, games services, procurement, etc. In order to regulate their environmental management, BOCOG Environmental Activities Department will work with the related departments to develop the guidelines and put them in practice. Through this working mechanism, the different departments can reach agreement and understand better their environmental issues. This also gives a chance for all parties involved, the athletes, staff and spectators to participate and experience the creation of a green Olympic Games.

    - Measures that Beijing Municipal Government has taken to protect the natural resources, maintain the ecological balance and enhance the sustainable development, and the progress made in urban environment improvement.

    - Necessity and urgency of protecting the environment. Beijing is rapidly developing yet some problems exist. The natural environment and infrastructure need much improvement. Industrial emission is high and the number of automobiles keeps growing. Great efforts are needed in order to create a good environment that meets the high requirements of organizing the Olympic Games. We will communicate to the world Beijing's environmental plans, actions, achievements and the rich environmental legacy left to Beijing after the Games.

    BOCOG will work closely with the functional departments of the national and municipal government, with the enthusiastic NGOs and civil society to implement the communication programs in various ways. Various social activities will be carried out step by step in Beijing in an organized manner.

    These activities cover several aspects like waste classification, tree planting, wildlife protection, resource conservation, green consumption etc. Therefore a wider public will be involved in the activities like green community, green school, green business, green tourism, green factory, green unit, etc.

    The initiatives of the government, the enterprises and the public must be brought to full play in order to improve the public awareness. Everyone can participate in environmental protection and a three-party interaction mechanism can be established.

    Hosting the Olympic Games is an unprecedented, great occasion for the Chinese people. The Games itself, together with global economic, social and environmental impacts, is attracting more and more attention worldwide. We believe that through staging the 2008 Olympics, Beijing will leave a sound environmental legacy to China and the world including the green demonstration venues, a new environmental management mode for organizing huge sports events, public participation in environmental protection and the continuous improvement of urban environment.