London Olympics to be a Green Success

London Olymic Park

The 2012 London Olympics could leave past and future host countries "Green" with envy.

The "greening" of major sporting events is becoming a significant factor in the allocation of host Nations. South Africa, and specifically Cape Town, really set a high standard in the "greening" of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, with the award winning GreenGoal Programme.

The City of London has pulled out all the stops to ensure that the sustainability of the 2012 London Olympics Games will endure as a legacy for the City.

So how have they achieved this?

Sustainability was a major focus in all planning for the Games, from the regeneration of degraded areas, making use of existing or temporary venues, strict building regulations to the complete construction and restoration at the site of the Olympic park into one of the largest urban parks bulit in Britian for over a century.

This huge undertaking included the removal of toxic waste from site, the regeneration of reed beds, wet woodlands, grassland and ponds to encourage the return of wildlife and the restoration of flows and habitat on sections of the the River Lea.

Waste reduction and recycling initiatives, renewable energy sourcing, public transport facilities and a growing "green" conscience of the general public will all go a long way to making the games more sustainable.

As the City of Cape Town looks towards the future and the potential to host big sporting events, it is also encouraging residents and businesses to change their behaviour and become more responsible and sustainable in the way they do business.

Practical guides, with helpfull tips on how to achieve this have been developed to assist business and residents:

1. Smart Living Handbook
2. Smart Building Handbook and Green Building guidelines
3. Smart Events Handbook

Enjoy the Games!