Road to 2008: Green Olympics
Partnership between UNDP and BOCOG
The Energy & Environment Challenge
China’s growth over the past three decades, while reducing poverty levels, has placed great pressures on the environment, both within China and globally. This is of particular concern for poor and vulnerable communities within China who are disproportionately affected by pollution, land and water degradation and the emerging implications of climate change and loss of biodiversity. Finding sustainable patterns of consumption is of particular concern. It has become increasingly apparent that current patterns of environmental degradation present challenges to both sustained economic growth and poverty reduction. For these reasons, issues of energy and the environment have gained increased attention and now stand as national priorities in China’s 11th FiveYear Plan. To support the Government of China’s efforts to address such issues, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) targets programmes that improve policy and legal systems, expand access to best practices and environmentallyfriendly technologies, raise public awareness on the environment, and strengthen the public-private partnerships needed to achieve sustainable development goals. Creating truly comprehensive and lasting responses to China’s energy and environment challenges requires local capacity development to respond to the challenges of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change, to remove barriers that hinder expanded use of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, and to promote innovative solutions in industry. environment into the preparation and operations of the XXIX Olympic Games. ■ Raising Environmental Awareness The Beijing Olympics serve as an opportunity to raise environmental awareness across China. The official Olympic mascots, the “FuWa”, contain a strong ecological message, representing the five elements of nature and four animals from diverse regions across China. UNDP provides assistance to design an environmental awareness campaign revolving around the FuWa and including several Chinese Olympic athletes. Through the financial support of ArcelorMittal and Government of Norway, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and UNEP, this includes a series of Public-Service Anouncements (PSAs) surrounding key environmental themes such as climate change, biodiversity protection and water conservation, to be broadcasted on Chinese public television, the screens used within the Olympic facilities and public transport throughout Beijing.
The FuWa, representing the five natural elements and four animals will be featured on UNDP-BOCOG public service announcements
The UNDP-BOCOG Partnership
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games represents a landmark event for China, as the country hosts and plays center stage for the world’s largest and most prestigious sporting event. The Olympic Games presents a unique opportunity for China to showcase to the international community it’s history, culture and people. The 2008 Beijing Olympics is also designated as the “Green Olympics”, where China’s commitment to environmental protection will be on display. To support this important initiative, UNDP is partnering with the Beijing Olympic Committee (BOCOG) to promote the objectives of a Green Olympics through hosting joint acitivities and sharing international best practices on ways to mainstream
■ Carrying the Torch - Recognition of Environmental Champions Through strong cooperation with BOCOG and Coca Cola, the major official sponsor of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, UNDP is helping identify Environmental Champion Torch Bearers to carry the torch during the official Olympic Torch Relay in 2008, and support UNDP awareness activities through legacy activities after the Games. Torch Bearers include individuals from government, business and non-profit organizations providing leadership for green solutions for the achievement of China’s national goals for climate change, water conservation and ecosystem protection.
Road to 2008: Green Olympics
Partnership between UNDP and BOCOG
■ Carbon Neutral Olympic Venue Beijing has been active in piloting new emission free technologies for Olympic venue operations including low-carbon transport solutions to meet the transport needs during the Games. Together with BOCOG, GEF and the Beijing Environment Bureau, UNDP will provide four electric Clean Energy Buses to be used within the Olympic Venue for transport of international and national athletes between the Olympic Village and the Olympic Sports Venues. The buses will help achieve China’s goal of zero-emission solutions to public transport. The buses will be integrated into the general public transport system of Beijing after the Games, to support legacy activities to raise awarness of low-carbon approaches and use of alternative energy technologies to meet China’s growing urban transport needs.
Meeting the Challenge
China is faced with distinct and pressing energy and environment challenges that pose serious risks to its economic growth & social development objectives. Through strong partnerships with donor, private sector and civil society members, UNDP is committed to facilitating the kind of alliances needed to achieve innovative and comprehensive sustainable development programmes and policies in China.
Environmental Symbol of the Beijing Olympics
The logo consists of the crown of a tree and the shape of a human being, which are used to create the form of a large tree reaching the sky. The image represents harmony and unity between human beings and nature.
UNDP/GEF Clean Energy Buses will carry athletes to promote green transport
To this effect, UNDP invites partners to join the UNDP-BOCOG partnership initiative. Your collective support will help achieve the goals envisioned for a Green Olympics. Given the growing importance of China on the world stage, such partnerships not only help address energy and environment issues locally but also help address the serious global challenges facing the planet.
UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners. To find out more about UNDP China’s Energy & Environment activities, or to contribute to the UNDP-BOCOG initiative, please visit our website at www.undp.org.cn or contact Ms. Zhang Wei, UNDP China Communication Officer at +86 (10) 8532-0715 or，wei.zhang@undp.org
■ Eco-Design in the Games The construction and design of facilities within the Olympic compound involves design of eco-friendly and energy efficient design and methods. UNDP works closely with BOCOG and Ministry of Environment to explore cutting edge designs for key parts of the Olympic venues. This includes identifying best practices to increase use of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in facility design, and to showcase eco-design best practices ■ Legacy beyond the Games In addition to the continuation of awareness raising activities after the Games using the Clean Energy Buses and Olympic athletes referred to above, UNDP is also cooperating with Coca Cola and BOCOG to make use of revenue proceeds from sale of Coca Cola Olympic pins sold during the Games to undertake water conservation projects in China as Olympic legacy activities.