Turin 2006 unveiled its new Sustainability Report at an international sports conference co-hosted by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
A press release states that measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions, minimize water use in snowmaking, and promote eco-friendly hotels are among a raft of initiatives aimed at making the Turin 2006 Games the greenest ever.
The conference being held in Nairobi at UNEP’s headquarters under the theme of “Sport, Peace and Environment” brings together about 350 delegates from up to 100 different countries. Pal Schmitt, Chairman of the IOC’s Sport and Environment Commission said, “when you host the Olympic Games, among the main priorities must be the environment”.
He said the meeting was a “good opportunity for the Organizing Committees of the Olympic Games to review achievements and explain their plans in the field”.
One of the cornerstones of the sustainability report is the Heritage Climate Torino (HECTOR) project designed to make the Winter Games carbon neutral.
According to the Games organizers the 2006 Olympics will generate the equivalent of just over 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide with the main sources of emissions coming from transport and the operation of the Olympic Venues.
The Paralympic Games will generate the equivalent of 15,000 tonnes of the greenhouse gas making the total emissions from both events just over 120,000 tones.
Under HECTOR these emissions will be offset via forestry, energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes both at home and abroad in line with the international climate change treaty, the Kyoto Protocol.
Meanwhile UNEP has announced it was signing an agreement with the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2008 Summer Games on November 18.
