The training camp for athletes launched this week (15 August) and will be taking place until 28 August at the University of Bath, to mark the ‘one-year-to-go’ for the Paralympic Games which start on 29 August 2012.

As a sustainability partner of London 2012, EDF used last year’s training event to create a pilot to create more sustainable training camps. The information collected is now being used by the Council for Responsible Sport (CRS) to create a new sustainability accreditation for sporting events.

EDF and ParalympicsGB hope the camp will receive a gold rating from the CRS, while ParalympicsGB’s chief executive officer, Tim Hollingsworth, said he hoped the event would create a “positive legacy of sustainability for the Games”

He added: “The training camp marks a key milestone for us as we enter the last year of preparation for the Games and our elite athletes focus on the goals ahead.

To meet CRS sustainability targets, EDF is assessing waste, water consumption, transport, community responsibility and engagement and has developed a programme of education on sustainability issues.

EDF is working with sustainability expert and professional long-distance triathlete Toby Radcliffe to help meet these targets.

Radcliffe said: “Working with ParalympicsGB to make this year’s camp a gold standard in sustainability has involved looking at the environmental impact of the camp in real detail, from assessing the power supply of the buildings and sports facilities we’re using, to trying to ensure that event materials are printed on recycled paper.”

“We’ve been working with EDF Energy to ensure that this final year ahead of London 2012 sees us make real progress not just in the sports but in reducing the carbon footprint of our activities.”

EDF partnered with ParalympicsGB in 2009 and has raised more than £200,000 to support the development of Paralympic Sport in the UK.

Carys Matthews

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