The recent Olympics provided an excellent example of development where
sustainability has a heavier emphasis in the project brief due to
greater publicity and politically sensitivity.
Since the ‘Green Games’ in 2000, a number of requirements have been
put forward by various groups outlining the need for
environmentally-sound games and ensuring that Sydney’s Green Games
were not
a once-only effort.
Agenda 21 is one policy document adopted by the IOC for sustainable
development that is taken globally, nationally and locally by
organisations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major
Groups in every area in which humans impacts on the environment.
Another is Greenpeace’s Olympic Environmental Guidelines.
Greenpeace considers the environmental issues and guidelines listed
below to be among the most important. Olympic host cities and other
events are advised to follow these guidelines to minimise
environmental impact. The guidelines address the following topics:
- energy consumption
- transport
- air, water and soil pollution
- ozone depletion
- indoor air quality
- refrigeration and air-conditioning
- timber use
- habitat protection
- water conservation
- waste avoidance and minimisation
- genetically modified organisms (gmos)
- quality of life
- cultural and historical context
- transparency and monitoring of the guidelines
Life-cycle and Embodied Energy of materials and products is a
cornerstone of environmentally sound criteria and features highly
throughout the Greenpeace Guidelines. Greenpeace states;
Use only environmentally-safe building materials and products
that minimise pollution of the environment (air, soil, water,
ground water) throughout their entire lifecycle (production, use
and disposal). Take all measures to minimise energy use in the
overall eco-cycle of the development project at all stages —
construction, use and maintenance of the development as well as
re-use, recycling and deconstruction.
As with any major project, adherence to these guidelines can
provide the organiser / owner with long term benefits such as;
- positive social legacy
- healthy occupants and surrounding community
- and a cost-effective facility.
Cetec can help you and your project improve its environmental
sustainability. For more information
contact us.
