Glasgow 2014 is the first Commonwealth Games to secure the global standard. It recognises that the organisation is demonstrating their economic, environmental and social impacts in all decisions made for the event.
Initiatives include the use of a low-emissions car and bus fleet for spectators and providing funded public transport within Glasgow for all ticket holders and the workforce.
Glasgow 2014’s efforts also included creating an energy efficient Athletes’ Village with photovoltaic panels on all the houses and a combined heat and power system. Its zero waste to landfill policy throughout the event includes a commitment to compost all food waste and disposable cutlery generated during the games.
The Events Management Standard evolved from the British Standard BS8901 for sustainability management, which was used by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
The games will:
- use a modern car and bus fleet for spectator, Games Family and OC travel;
- make all competition venues car-free for spectators;
- use a modern and locally based company (Aggreko) to provide clean and efficient temporary energy generators;
- use mains power at those venues where this is possible;
- ensure our Games HQ is on a Green Tariff energy supply;
- encourage the use of active travel to get between venues;
- provide funded public transport within Glasgow for all ticket holders (on the day of the event) and all workforce;
- convert Hampden Park into an Athletics stadium rather than build a new stadium;
- move all our Furniture, Fittings and Equipment purchased from London 2012 to Scotland using sea transportation rather than road, rail or air;
- specify within our tender documents that all delivery and waste management vehicles meet at least Euro IV emission standards.
- using an Athletes’ Village that has energy efficiency embedded into it – photovoltaic panels on all houses; combined heat and power plant; and flow controlled water.
In addition, delivered by sponsor BP, the BP Target Neutral carbon management plan will help people travelling to the Games to offset their travel emissions.
Chairman of Glasgow 2014 Lord Chris Smith said “Sustainability is at the core of all our decisions and not an added extra or bolted on strategy; it is about making positive and lasting changes in the way we use natural and human resources to improve quality of life for all; now and in the future.”
An example of the games’ inclusive approach can be watched below.
Matt Field