London 2012 Olympics

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London is the first summer Host City to embed sustainability in its planning from the start. The LOCOG team is aiming to set new standards, creating positive, lasting change for the environment and communities.

For London 2012, 'sustainability' is about far more than being 'green'. It's ingrained into the event from the ground up – from the way venues have been planned and built, to the way the staging team works, the way that products and suppliers are contracted, and the way the whole team plays, socialises and travels; ultimately everything LOCOG does.

Sustainability: Embedded in the Bid for the 2012 Games

In bidding to bring the games back to the UK, LOCOG committed to:

  • Use existing venues where possible
  • Only make permanent structures that will have a long-term use after the Games
  • Build temporary structures for everything else

LOCOG's goal is to use the Games as a catalyst for change, for the regeneration of and improvement of quality of life in East London and encourage more sustainable living across the whole of the UK.

Towards a One Planet 2012

LOCOG's approach is based on the WWF/BioRegional concept of ‘One Planet Living®’ - helping us to live within the world’s resources, rather than using three planets worth of resources as we currently do in the UK.

The London 2012 Sustainability Plan: Towards a One Planet 2012 highlights the aim of hosting the most sustainable Games to date and the progress we are making.

The Sustainability Plan focuses on five key themes:

  1. Climate change: minimising greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring legacy facilities are able to cope with the impacts of climate change.
  2. Waste: minimising waste at every stage of the project, ensuring no waste is sent to landfill during Games-time, and encouraging the development of new waste processing infrastructure in East London.
  3. Biodiversity: minimising the impact of the Games on wildlife and their habitats in and around Games venues, leaving a legacy of enhanced habitats where possible eg the Olympic Park.
  4. Inclusion: Promoting access for all and celebrating the diversity of London and the UK, creating new employment, training and business opportunities.
  5. Healthy living: Inspiring people across the country to take up sport and develop active, healthy and sustainable lifestyles.

Each year LOCOG reports on the progress to date – see the London 2012 Update and Report Card.

Creating Sustainable Events

To ensure that all events hosted during the lead-in to the Games are as sustainable as possible, LOCOG has published Sustainability Guidelines for Corporate and Public Events.

A key aspect to these Guidelines, and indeed LOCOG's approach to the Games overall, is to ensure that they only use or hire what is needed.

Read more in LOCOG's Sustainability Guidelines for Events

LOCOG Resources