Sustainability is a core part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It featured centrally at the heart of the original bid, framed by the concept of "Towards a One Planet Olympic and Paralympic Games" and with BT's long-standing commitment to responsibility and the environment it was a natural choice for us to become a London 2012 Sustainability Partner.
As one of six Sustainability Partners we are working with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) helping to ensure London 2012 is truly sustainable. We see London 2012 as a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to inspire and support people to change the way they build, live, learn, work and travel to create a more sustainable society.
BT has a long record of commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and is a world leader in sustainability. Being a London 2012 Sustainability Partner is a great opportunity to make the best use of BT's communication technology and its people to create a sustainable legacy - as well as deliver critical communications services to the Games in a more environmentally and socially responsible way.
We are focussing our efforts in two key areas - delivering a sustainable communications technology solution and creating a lasting social and economic legacy by connecting with society in positive ways.
What are LOCOG and the ODA doing?
You can see what LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) and the ODA (Olympic Delivery Authority) are doing to ensure the Games are truly sustainable by following these links:
Delivering a sustainable communications technology solution
As you would expect for a global leader in sustainability within the telecommunications sector, we're trying to minimise the environmental impact of our activity wherever we can.
For the first time in a Summer Games BT has designed a converged network - this maximises the re-use of materials such as fibre, and minimises waste. This converged network solution allows multi-purpose networking resources to be shared securely, reducing the need for bespoke equipment and processes.
We've also developed a new methodology to calculate the carbon footprint of our London 2012 Games solution, which will help us identify how to reduce the emissions of our products and services more effectively, both for the Games themselves and for future customers. The Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 has said "We have .been impressed with the work of BT to develop a carbon footprint for the embodied impacts of all the infrastructure and services for the Games. This will be rolled out across the company and openly shared with a view to creating an industry standard."
Network architecture packaging will be held by BT at staging areas during the London 2012 Games so that it can be reused or recycled if appropriate. We'll work with venue owners and our sales channel to explore opportunities for resale of any BT communications equipment installed specifically to support the Games so that it can be effectively re-used.
BT is committed to responsible sourcing in its work to support the London 2012 Games. To achieve this, we are working to our Sourcing with Human Dignity Standard (GS 18). We also have a comprehensive Health & Safety Management system which safeguards all of our people and partners in their work for London 2012.
We are also working closely with our partners to bring people together for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games using the most eco-efficient communications technology available to us, for example teleconferencing to avoid travel and emissions.
Finally we have included the Olympic Park in our pilot of the use of electric vans in Openreach.
Economic legacy for communities and business
We're working with stakeholders to ensure the services we provide for the Olympic and Paralympic Games form an economic legacy that benefits communities and business beyond 2012.
For example, the copper and fibre cables we are installing for London 2012 will become part of the national BT infrastructure after the Games, enabling, amongst other things, the 2,800 new homes that will be created post Games as part of a lasting legacy to be early beneficiaries of the superfast broadband rollout.
There are benefits outside of London too. In Weymouth and Portland, where the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events are being held, Openreach are upgrading the exchange and deploying fibre to the benefit of local businesses and stakeholders.
We are also running a "Are you Fit for London 2012" campaign to help businesses across the UK consider both the opportunities and issues London 2012 will present and demonstrate how communications technology can help them succeed during this exciting time.
Delivering lasting social benefits
We have an ambition to extend the legacy of London 2012 by helping to create a generation of young citizens with the skills to communicate and collaborate in ways that bring about positive changes to our society.
We have announced three national initiatives, Big Voice, Communication Triathlon and Coaching for Life that form part of 'Get Set', the official London 2012 education programme. These have been developed in conjunction with experts in motivational behaviour, education and communication. They are carefully constructed, take the views of key influencers (eg parents, teachers) into account and are also properly tested to ensure they're effective for young people. You can find out more about these programmes here.
BT is also sponsoring the Legacy Playing for Success Centre in Newham up until the end of London 2012. Afterwards, the Centre will move on to the Olympic Park as a high tech learning environment harnessing the power of sport to engage young people in education.
Over 1,200 BT people have now signed up as BT volunteers and have been working on a number of London 2012-inspired initiatives including cleaning up waterways in east London. BT people are also donating time to Pilotlight, an organisation working in the 5 London Boroughs hosting the London 2012 Games to harness the skills of executives to help charities build a business plan that gives them a more sustainable future.
We have also recently extended our sponsorship of the BT Paralympic World Cup until 2016, demonstrating our commitment to disability sports. Article taken from BT website - to view full article, click here >>