Swimming Upstream - sustainable in challenging times?

Director of Action Sustainability, Shaun McCarthy, spends three days a week in his role as Chair of the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012. As part of his role chairing the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012, Shaun presented the annual review of sustainability performance today.

The Commission for a Sustainable London 2012, the watchdog overseeing the sustainability performance of the London 2012 games, has announced its annual review. In its report, "Swimming Upstream - sustainable in challenging times?" the commission provides a comprehensive evaluation of the potential to deliver a sustainable games and leave a lasting legacy.

The commission is pleased to report that the sustainability standards set at the time of the bid are being maintained. The review identifies some concerns but also highlights opportunities to build on a platform of solid achievement by the delivery bodies. The review issues a number of priority recommendations ranging from the need to act on the findings of the groundbreaking project to define the carbon footprint for the games, to calls for action on materials, waste, energy and legacy.

"The good news is that we have seen no evidence that the published sustainability standards are being watered down because of the recession. Indeed, new standards have been set in many areas. The ODA is setting an excellent example which should be followed by other public sector construction projects, and we have seen high quality plans from LOCOG. However, we expect London 2012 to have a positive influence over a range of sectors from construction to transport, event management, property development and education", said Shaun McCarthy, Chair of the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012.

The commission commends the groundbreaking work carried out to define the wider carbon footprint of the London 2012 Programme from bid win to closing ceremony and recommends that the London 2012 bodies take collective responsibility for these emissions and work together to mitigate their impact.

As well as making specific recommendations, the commission calls on the GLA and Government to build on the work done by the ODA and LOCOG and enshrine the long term sustainable development of the Olympic Park in the Olympic Park Legacy Company's objectives, governance, management, structures and business plan, and to renew their efforts to meet the promise to make the Olympic Park a "blueprint for sustainable living".

"The ultimate objective is a sustainable legacy for East London and the UK. We have seen some good work done to embed sustainability into the heart of the ODA and LOCOG are developing well in this area. It is essential that the new company recently formed to manage the Olympic Park for the next 40 years picks up the baton to make the park a "blueprint for sustainable living", said Shaun McCarthy.

To download the report click here

To read Shaun's article for the BBC about progress on delivering a sustainable London 2012 click here

To read Shaun's blog on the CSL website click here

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