’Low carbon’ Olympic venues should be “game-changing’ for construction, says Games’ organisers
The organisers of the Olympic Games have called on the government and construction industry to take up its sustainable building standards across the entire sector.
In a report out today on the sustainability legacy of the Games, the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) said that it was on track to deliver a “low carbon Games”.
“For example, through the use of a groundbreaking carbon footprint methodology to inform LOCOG’s venue design, choice of overlay materials and procurement strategy, LOCOG has more than halved one of the largest segments of its footprint – more than 100,000 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided,” it said.
Paul Deighton, chief executive of LOCOG, also praised the green credentials of the Olympic Delivery Authority and the construction of the Games’ venues, and said the construction industry should adopt its standards.
“Not only have they delivered wonderful facilities ahead of schedule and under budget; they have also delivered unprecedented sustainability standards through a rigorous approach involving the on-site teams and management.
“The ODA’s performance in this area should be game-changing for the construction industry. I look to the government, the mayor of London and construction firms to follow the ODA’s example, which shows that quality, value, deadlines and sustainability are not incompatible but mutually supportive,” he said.
However, two weeks ago a report revealed that the ODA had missed its target to produce 20% of energy in the Olympic park after 2013 from renewable sources.
It also had to put over £1m into energy efficiency for surrounding homes and schools to offset its failure to cut carbon emissions from the park by 50% compared with buildings constructed to 2006 Building Regulations standards.
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