http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/02/03/bc-suzuki-olympic-climate-change.html
 
 
Olympics get bronze for climate impact
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 | 8:59 AM PT Comments236Recommend51
CBC News
The David Suzuki Foundation says the organizers of the Vancouver Olympics
have reached the podium in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and combat climate change, but they have fallen short of winning
gold in some key areas.
 
The foundation issued its climate scorecard for the 2010 Games on
Wednesday morning, giving Vancouver a bronze medal for its efforts.
 
"As it stands now, the Vancouver Olympics will likely be remembered as
among the greenest and most climate-friendly Olympics held so far," said
the report, which also gave a nod to Sydney's "Green Games" 10 years ago.
 
'The Vancouver Olympics will likely be remembered as among the greenest
and most climate-friendly Olympics held so far,'-David Suzuki Foundation
report
On the plus side, organizers were applauded for several advances,
including building energy-efficient venues and emphasizing public transit.
 
But report co-author Paul Lingl said the Vancouver Games missed getting a
gold medal because of its poor performance in setting concrete goals,
offsetting carbon emissions, public engagement, and the lack of long-term
sustainable transportation improvements the Games will leave behind.
 
IOC lacks commitment
The report was also critical of the International Olympic Committee for
lacking a real commitment to fighting climate change.
 
Olympic bids typically aspire to be green, noted the report, "However,
when it comes to making sure the environmental commitments are met, there
is little evidence of strong [International Olympic Committee]
engagement," it said.
 
"The Olympic movement still has long way to go to raise the bar on climate
action, and to make the environment pillar a truly integral part of the
Games," it said.
 
The report compared the efforts of the Vancouver Organizing Committee,
known as VANOC, with the previous summer and winter Olympics, and other
large sporting events, with the expectation that each successive Games
would raise the standard above past events.
 
"Given high public concern for climate change, we considered what a Winter
Olympic Games should ideally be doing on this important issue,
particularly give the fact that the very future of the Winter Olympics
depends on winters cold enough to have snow and ice," said the statement.
 
Just last week the Suzuki Foundation blamed climate change and greenhouse
gas emissions for the lack of snow at the Cypress Mountain venue just
north of Vancouver. Organizers at that venue are now trucking in snow and
hay in order to build up the course for snowboarding and freestyle events.
 
Rated in 10 areas
The report rated the performance of Olympic organizers in 10 areas, and
included the following findings:
 
Goals: The Vancouver Olympic bid set clear goals related to energy
efficiency and renewable energy, but was vague in other areas.
Transparency: VANOC was relatively transparent about its climate program.
Measuring impact: VANOC has made improvements over previous Games with a
more rigorous and comprehensive approach.
Venues: The Vancouver Olympics will leave the region with innovative,
energy-efficient buildings that will reduce community greenhouse gas
emissions and save money for many years into the future.
Energy use: The Vancouver Olympics will primarily use clean energy sources.
Transportation: In Vancouver it appears opportunities to create lasting
reductions in transportation emissions in the region have been missed.
Overall greenhouse gas emission reductions: VANOC will have reduced
overall emissions by an estimated 15 per cent.
Offsetting: VANOC has committed to offset 118,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas
emissions, a substantial amount, but still less than half of Games-related
emissions.
Mobilizing sponsors: VANOC reached out to sponsors and others with several
climate-related initiatives.
Public engagement: This is the category where VANOC has had the least
success to date. But could be improved with a strong effort during the
Games to reach out to spectators and billions of TV viewers worldwide with
an inspiring message about climate solutions.
 
Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/02/03/bc-suzuki-olympic-climate-change.html#ixzz0eVPvmc3M
 
 
 

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