The CSL carbon report covers the approach taken to carbon measurement and management across the London 2012 programme. It commends the ground breaking work that has been done so far and calls for London 2012 to continue the work to measure its carbon footprint, to take responsibility for ensuring that emissions are reduced as far as possible, and to develop a strong and, where possible, quantifiable programme to mitigate remaining emissions.
The initial reference carbon footprint for the Games, based on data from the bid, was estimated at 3.4 million tonnes of CO2e*but the actual residual ‘owned’ footprint will be considerably lower once the impact of emissions-avoiding measures, such as the low carbon concrete specification, and also the impact of cost saving measures, such as the reduction in the number of temporary venues, are taken into account. The aim is to reduce the residual footprint to 1.9 million tonnes.
In the view of the Commission, overall responsibility for the residual ‘owned’ footprint lies with the Olympic Board, The Board should ensure that each of the delivery bodies continues to reduce and avoid emissions in their areas of control.
To mitigate the rest of the residual footprint the Commission has put forward a range of proposals but believes that the biggest opportunity comes from using the legacy of knowledge from the Games to ensure carbon savings in future projects. The Commission believes that the development of a British Standard, to set out a best practice approach to embodied carbon in design and construction, in time for 2012, would be a real legacy from the Games, would lead to millions of tonnes of carbon being saved in the future and would ensure the transfer of knowledge.
To read the review in full please go to our reports section to download the report.
*CO2e = Carbon dioxide equivalent, taking account of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.
