On January 13, the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (BOCOG) released the Sustainable For The Future - Beijing 2022 Pre-Games Sustainability Report.
The Report details the progress on the implementation of the sustainability policy of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 (Beijing 2022) from 4 chapters, naming “Beijing 2022 Sustainability Management”, “Positive Environmental Impact”, “New Development for the Region”, and “Better Life for the People”.
As the first sustainability report by the BOCOG, the Report has created many firsts in sustainable development:
1st report to comprehensively respond to its sustainability commitments
The Beijing 2022 is the first Olympic Games that follows the Olympic Agenda 2020 by the International Olympic Committee across its bidding, preparations and hosting.
Sustainability is one of the three major concepts pitched by Beijing in bidding for the Games. The basic objective of our sustainability work is to fulfill our sustainability commitments.
The Report specifically introduces the commitments, implementation mechanisms and major progress of the “Bid Commitments on Sustainability” in chapter 1 “Sustainability Management”, and reiterates “Bid Commitments” in chapter 2, 3 and 4 to demonstrate the determinations of BOCOG, government departments, and stakeholders to fully fulfill the commitments.
1st report to be highly concerned and praised by the IOC and IPC
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) paid great attention to the Report.
IOC President Thomas Bach and IPC President Andrew Parsons both sent congratulatory messages for the Report’s publication through video link, and spoke highly of the contents disclosed in the Report, marking the first time in the history of the Olympic Games.
According to Mr. Bach, “This Report shows that the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee recognises the responsibility to integrate sustainability principles throughout all stages of Games preparations. The Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 will be the start of a new era for global winter sport... Beijing 2022 is helping accelerate sustainable development in China, showcasing solutions for a more sustainable future. In doing so, Beijing 2022 has consulted with local and international stakeholders, raising awareness around sustainability topics in China and beyond.”
Mr. Parsons comments, “This informative report discloses sustainability highlights of the Games. We have reasons to believe that staging of the Beijing 2022 Games will promote sustainable development in all three spheres: environment, economy and society. It will enable Para athletes to achieve sporting excellence and thereby inspire and excite the world.”
1st sustainability report released by a national news platform
The Report was released at the press conference of Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games on Olympic Green & Sustainability, held by the State Council Information Office P.R.C. Mr. Li Sen, Director-general of BOCOG’s General Planning Department, introduced main progress and achievements in building sustainability management system, prioritising ecological conservation in venue, strictly implementing low-carbon management, enhancing urban and regional development, and benefiting people’s livelihoods.
As spokespersons, Mr. Li Sen, Director-general of BOCOG’s General Planning Department; Ms Yan Jiarong, BOCOG’s spokeswoman; Mr. Liu Yumin, Director-general of BOCOG’s Planning and Construction Department; Mr. Yu Bo, Chief of Yanqing District of Beijing municipality; Mr. Liu Haifeng, Deputy Mayor of Zhangjiakou municipal people’s government, Hebei province, and Deputy Director of Zhangjiakou Municipal Office for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, also answered questions from journalists at home and abroad on winter sports promotion, post-Games use of venues, use of renewable energy, the construction of green venues, use of Beijing Olympic Venues, management on artificial snow making and water resources, driving development of surrounding regions, and ecological restoration of Yanqing Zone.
The successful holding of the conference shows that the BOCOG is open to communications with stakeholders from all walks of life.
Qick view for the summary report