Monitoring Sustainability
14 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Monitoring Sustainability
assuring a legacy
The countdown to the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games continues and now there’ s less than 2012 days until the fever and excitement of hosting the massive sporting and cultural event finally hits.
Shaun McCarthy, will lead the new Commission for a Sustainable London 2012, set up to assure the sustainability and legacy elements of the London 2012 Games programme.
But the London Games isn’ t just about the sporting and cultural fanfare, it’ s also about an important pledge to make the Games the most sustainable in history and it’ s also about ensuring a legacy for the future.
The Games will be a catalyst for one of the most extensive urban and environmental regeneration programmes ever seen in the United Kingdom. The new Olympic Park under construction in the Lower Lea Valley will revive a neglected part of East London, thousands of jobs will be created, transport links will be transformed and thousands of homes will be built.
To help make the most out of the Games and to deliver on its sustainability pledge, January 23 saw the announcement of the new Commission for a Sustainable London 2012.
The Commission has been set up by the Olympic Board to monitor and verify the London Games sustainability pledge and assure its legacy.
The Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 has evolved from work originally undertaken by the Mayor’ s London Sustainable Development Commission.
In 2003, the London Sustainable Development Commission undertook a comprehensive assessment of the 2012 bid using its Sustainable Development Framework for London.
The key message to the bid team was the need to address social, economic and environmental issues in a joined-up way and to look at how these benefits could be secured after the Games, across London and particularly East London.
The Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 has now been created to provide independent monitoring and to provide confidence to the Olympic Board and the public that the commitments made in the bid are being met.
By assessing the relevant policies, procedures and performance of the 2012 Programme, the commission will identify good practice, areas for improvement, assess risks and make recommendations to the Olympic Board.
In addition, it will provide a valuable source of expertise to help the delivery bodies meet their objectives. The commission is being led by Shaun McCarthy, who is a leading advocate of sustainable business practices. He has had lengthy careers with Shell UK and BAA, and more than 20 years experience in commercial business. engage | uk ISSUE THREE 2007