WWF works with Olympic organizers to ensure "green" games in Beijing

Beijing, China – WWF is urging Olympic organizers to continue making the 2008 Beijing Games more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

“It is good to see so many are working on innovative and practical solutions towards a ‘green’ Olympics,” said WWF China Country Representative, Dermot O’Gorman, speaking at a conference on sport and environment in Beijing.

“We want to see our initiatives at the Olympics make a long-lasting impression on China so that everyone can do its part to protect the country’s natural resources.”

At the conference, O’Gorman presented WWF’s One Planet Olympic approach, which focuses on solutions for zero waste and low carbon strategies, sustainable transport and conservation.

Working with the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, WWF has already implemented a number of projects, including the use of certified timber in the construction of a kindergarten in the Olympic Village, and is supporting a solar panel energy programme for an Olympic gymnasium.

WWF and the organizing committee will continue to work on green initiatives long after the closing of the 2008 Olympics.

Through its Go for Gold campaign, WWF is also calling on Olympic athletes to offset their carbon emissions when traveling to the Games through dependable Gold Standard climate change reduction projects.

“We want athletes to inspire people to make their air travels more environmentally friendly,” O’Gorman said.

“As each of us wrestle with the impacts of global warming, we need to work towards our personal best to reduce our emissions.”

Long-distance flights are responsible for 2% of the world’s carbon emissions each year. With an estimate 10,000 athletes from over 200 countries and regions due to arrive by air in China for the Olympics, the event will cause the injection of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.

Through WWF China’s bilingual Go for Gold website, fans, athletes and National Olympic Committees, can find tips on how to reduce and offset their carbon emissions when traveling to the Games.

“Individuals and athletes can help contribute to a truly ‘green’ Olympics,” said Simon Lewis, WWF-UK’s Olympic spokesman.

“With campaigns such as Go for Gold, we are also paving the way for the sustainable Olympic Games of the future.”