| With talk of China's high rates of pollution dominating | | | | suitable environmental policy. |
| headlines in the run up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, | | | | It is a positive statement, and one that is backed by |
| it is important to remember that sport and the | | | | the 'Towards a One Planet Olympics' initiative, which |
| environment can go hand in hand. | | | | is the lynch-pin of the London games' environmental |
| In the last year, the Chinese capital has been the | | | | policy, and was developed from the WWF |
| subject of much media scrutiny surrounding its | | | | Bioregional's 'One Planet Living', which lists ten main |
| environmental and emissions policy. In 2005, the | | | | environmental initiatives that can be implemented |
| European Space Agency declared that Beijing | | | | throughout the world. These can be grouped into |
| contained unnecessarily high levels of nitrogen dioxide, | | | | three key areas: carbon emission, sustainability, and |
| a bi-product of many industrial processes, including | | | | culture and natural habitats. |
| thermal power plants. It is poisonous to inhale, and | | | | The Committee for London 2012 has drawn these |
| since the revelation, the Chinese government have | | | | into five points: combating climate change, reducing |
| been accused of endangering sportsmen and | | | | waste, enhancing biodiversity, promoting inclusion, and |
| spectators with the volume of air pollution that | | | | improving healthy living. These tie in neatly with the |
| affects the capital. | | | | original initiative, which targets - as some examples - |
| For the environmentally conscious, it represents a | | | | 'zero carbon' and 'zero waste', sustainable transport |
| serious concern. Historically, the designation of | | | | and materials, and 'health and happiness'. |
| Olympic host has a symbolic resonance; it has been | | | | In theory, then, the commitment is clear, and the aim |
| held by great cities, welcome to community spirit and | | | | is an all encompassing one; to be the first fully |
| accepted as representatives of an age old sporting | | | | sustainable Olympic games. And - as the Beijing |
| tradition. That is not to deny that Beijing is a great | | | | Olympics prepares to open - the London bid is |
| city, but - for environmentalists - it has been difficult | | | | already working towards that aim. The ODA |
| to reconcile the tradition and history of the city with | | | | announced in January of this year that it is already |
| a poor environmental and emissions policy. | | | | beating its target of recovering 90% of all demolition |
| Many spectators, then, will be watching closely. And | | | | waste for recycling and reuse. It has also begun to |
| they will also be looking to London in 2012, which will | | | | create new habitats for any wildlife that might be |
| be subject to the same media scrutiny. | | | | found on Olympic sites, and is recycling complete |
| The Olympic Delivery Authority - the body who are | | | | buildings to be re-assembled away from original |
| in charge of developing the infrastructure for the | | | | Olympic sites. |
| London games - have so far acted carefully. David | | | | Certainly, 2012 is a long way away. Beijing comes |
| Higgins, the Chief Executive of the ODA, has officially | | | | first, and its environmental policy since the original bid |
| stated that "Ensuring a sustainable approach to | | | | has improved. When the London games come, it will |
| building the Games will help ensure London 2012 is | | | | have China as a blueprint, plus another four years of |
| remembered not only as two weeks of fantastic | | | | work towards sustainability. If it succeeds in its aim, it |
| sporting action, but also as the greenest games to | | | | might be one of the world's first large |
| date", championing the connection between the | | | | demonstrations of a link between tradition and a new |
| tradition of the event and the importance of a | | | | 'green-consciousness'. Something to look forward to. |