Green Olympics

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is set to release its strategy to make London’s 2012 Olympics the greenest in history.Estimates suggest the International travel alone to London by competitors, officials and members of the Olympic Family would generate an estimated 35,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions

The ODA, the public body responsible for ensuring the delivery of the new venues and infrastructure,has pledged to cut carbon emissions linked to the Olympic Park and other venues by 50 percent, more than the 44 percent reduction required by new regulations due to be introduced in 2013.

Key parts of the strategy include:

• Aiming to minimise the carbon emissions associated with the Olympic Park and venues through a 50% reduction in carbon dioxide by 2013.
• Reducing 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.
• 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.
• Prioritising 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.