Low Carbon, low waste, green transportation and high re-use of materials during construction are all expected to be at the fore-front of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) strategy when it is published.

 

The strategy is designed to help ensure that the London Games are both built and remembered as the "Greenest Games in modern times".

 

It will ensure that, during the construction phase, the ODA will set new standards for the sustainable design and construction of major sports venues and infrastructure used for the Games. 

 

It is also likely to set challenging performance measures for tackling climate change, maximising use of rail and water transport, minimising and re-using waste.

 

It is hoped, that by planning Games and legacy together now – more than five years out from 2012 - the strategy will also ensure a lasting social, sustainable and environmental legacy for East London remains after the Games.

 

The key parts of the strategy are:

 

* Climate Change: To minimise the carbon emissions associated with the Olympic Park and venues through a 50 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide by 2013. Instead of meeting current 2006 requirements, the ODA claim they will meet future 2013 requirements today. This will be achieved, they claim, through a combination of on-site energy generation and renewable energy. They are also providing the flexibility to allow for further reductions in carbon emissions beyond the 50 per cent so it could be a zero carbon development in legacy.

 

* Waste and materials: To reduce waste through design - 90 per cent of demolition material is  to be reused or recycled and at least 20 per cent of materials used in permanent venues and residential areas to be recycled.

 

* Water: To 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.

 

* Transport and mobility: To prioritise walking, cycling and the use of public transport to and within the Olympic Park and venues, including building new walking and cycling routes and to aspire to 50 per cent of construction materials to be transported to the Park by rail and water.

 

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: “Ensuring a sustainable approach to building the Games will help ensure London 2012 is remembered not only as two weeks of fantastic sporting action, but also as the ‘Greenest Games’ in modern times.”