The London Olympics 2012 had sustainability embedded in it from the first part of the bid, when the “Towards a One Planet Olympics” concept was established in partnership with BioRegional and the WWF. With sustainability being the overriding principle of the Games, the construction and development of the Olympics has been guided by the idea that the world should live within its means. The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is therefore not only committed to putting on the biggest sporting event in the world, but to also host the world’s first truly sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games. To do this, 5 themes have been developed and measures taken to reach these goals:

1. Climate Change

It is acknowledged that the majority of activities associated with building and hosting the Olympic Games will incur a “carbon cost”, so practices need to be adapted to deliver a low carbon Games. Successes include:

• The new Velodrome in the Olympic Park has achieved a 31% reduction in carbon emissions over 2006 building regulations.
• The natural gas-fired Combined Cooling Heat and Power (CCHP) engine in the Energy Centre is predicted to reduce annual CO₂ emissions of the Olympic Park by 25%. The Energy Centre’s 3 MW biomass boiler is predicted to save 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ per annum.
• More than 90% of the cooling provided to the Olympic venues will be HFC-free.
• Over 85,000 tonnes of embodied carbon have been saved through the efficient building design.
• The ODA is on track to reduce potable water use by 57% by using water reduction measures and a new water recycling treatment centre

2. Waste

The ODA will use resource management, recycling, reuse and the design-out of waste to deliver a zero-waste Games. They hope that they will have the opportunity to promote long term behavioural change in waste management practices in the events and construction industries. Successes include:

• Around 98.5% of demolition waste has been recycled and reused – 8 buildings have been reused off-site.
• 80% of soil has been cleaned and reused on the Olympic Park.
• The concrete used in foundations has been made of more than 30% recycled materials.
• 20% of pre-cast concrete units for the Olympic Stadium have come from recycled aggregate.

3. Biodiversity

The ODA plans to create new urban green spaces that help to bring people closer to nature through sport and culture. There is a commitment to ensuring that the Games take a responsible attitude to the management of natural resources, through direct enhancements to the ecology of the Lower Lea Valley and by promoting the value of the natural environment and conservation.

• 675 bird and bat boxes have been built in the Olympic Park.
• The Athlete’s village, Eton Manor and Main Press Centre have a 15,000m² living roof.
• A local UK nursery will supply 60,000 plants and 60,000 bulbs for the Olympic Park gardens.
• 5km of the Olympic Park waterways have been improved through repairs to the river walls, removal of debris and dredging.
• A one acre habitat creation project has started.

4. Inclusion

The ODA wishes to host the most inclusive Olympic Games to date, by celebrating diversity through the physical, economic and social regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley and surrounding communities. The bid was founded on the celebration of the diversity of London’s and the UK’s population, and the ODA is dedicated to making sure that everyone can benefits from and participate in the Games and their legacy.

5. Healthy Living

The Games hopes to inspire people to take up sport and develop a more active, healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The One Planet 2012 idea aims to help people live healthy lifestyles, within the resources of the planet. London 2012 is committed to maximising the benefits to spectators, the workforce and the whole of the UK.