Olav Myrholt, an environmental expert with the International Olympic Committee, said he believes the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will become a model in promoting urban environmental protection.
Environment became the third pillar of the Olympic Movement along with sport and culture in 1994.
Li Binghua, Vice President of BOCOG said, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games “has strived to protect the environment, preserve resources and maintain an ecological balance during the preparations for the great event”.
Remarkable improvements have been made in Beijing’s environment. In 2003 air quality was considered to be “good” – 61 per cent at the time, 34 percent higher than in 1998.
The sewage treatment rate increased to 56 per cent last year from 22 per cent in 1998, and the forestation rate rose to 48 per cent by 2003, a four per cent growth from 1998.
According to estimates by 2008 pollution from coal burning, emissions from low-standard vehicles, and industrial production will be substantially cut.
Beijing 2008 has called on designated hotels for the 2008 Games to increase the temperature of their air conditioners by one degree centigrade, which would mean a 10 per cent reduction in electricity consumption in air conditions.
The committee is now setting up its own environmental management system to ensure it fulfills its environmental pledges made during its 2008 bid.
Dennis Leaf, a senor adviser to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said his agency intends to lend its technical and policy expertise to Beijing to help improve air quality in the city.
He said, “the improvement in air quality will hopefully provide benefits to the citizens of Beijing during and after the Olympic Games”.
