The Olympic Green

(BEIJING, October 24) -- The Olympic construction projects include 191 environmental protection features like nature friendly construction materials and reclaimed water use.

Protecting the environment and cultural relics

The competition route and venues for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are located well outside the vicinity of protected resource areas and natural habitats.

Before breaking ground, each Olympic construction project underwent stringent evaluation by the relevant departments to determine the environmental impact. During the construction phase, cultural relics were placed under strict protection.

All of the construction materials and equipment used in the Olympic projects meet environmental standards that exceed the national standards. The Olympic venues are prohibited from using ozone depleting equipment, and meanwhile, all the venues use energy-saving air-condition equipment.

Following through on a two-part promise

In the bid for the Olympics, BOCOG put forward a "Green Olympics" plan that included two parts. First, during the Olympic preparation period, "green" methods would be employed to minimize the negative affects on the environment from the Olympic Games preparations. Second, Beijing would push for environmental protection across the city and support the sustainable development of the city.

Throughout the Olympic preparation process, BOCOG has progressively followed through on the policies of a "Green Olympics." BOCOG has also provided "Green Olympics" guidelines for venue construction, sponsors, contracted caterers, transportation, contracted hotels, etc.

In the construction of the venues, BOCOG has required the use of "green" materials and adherence to the "Green Olympics" guidelines.

Any potential Olympic sponsor must promote environmental protection and cannot engage in practices that violate environmental regulations.

Contracted hotels must use reclaimed water and cannot use single-use products in restrooms. In the past few years, more than 120 contracted hotels have followed through on these guidelines.

Food and beverage caterers must purchase and use environmental-friendly products. The public transport vehicles to be used for transporting spectators to and from venues must meet specific environmental standards.

In terms of the second part of its promise, Beijing's push for the development of environmental projects has had notable progress. For example, the use of Beijing's use of high-quality energy resources increased by 78 percent in 2006 when Beijing residents used 3.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Also, 150,000 gas stoves have been converted to use clean energy resources.

Renewable energy resources were used across all Olympic projects. For example, the Olympic Village relies on a heat exchange heating and cooling system that makes use of the heat produced in the sewage treatment system. Solar power is used at several venues, and Beijing has also established its first wind power plant.

Regular inspections from a joint committee of BOCOG and IOC have had satisfactory findings with the BOCOG's efforts in fulfilling the Green Olympic promise.