Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi committed towards ensuring zero carbon footprint

Games Ecological Code unveiled

Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi committed towards ensuring zero carbon footprint

NEW DELHI 17 February 2010: The landmark ecological code for the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, which aims to ensure reasonable consumption of electricity and water in all the stadiums, was unveiled today.

Releasing the ecological code along with Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Organising Committee, said, “this measure would go a long way to limit the carbon footprint in Delhi and would strive to make the XIX Commonwealth Games pollution free.”

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Chairman, Green Games Sub-committee OC, CWG Delhi 2010 also acknowledged the Organising Committee 2010 Delhi initiative to launch the drive towards green games concept, educating people and creating awareness for environmental protection.

Speaking at the milestone achievement, Mr. Kalmadi, said, “Releasing of the code is the first step towards ensuring that we are successful in our mission of conducting the first ever green games in the history of the Commonwealth Games.”

The Organising Committee is deeply and passionately committed towards preserving and restoring the environment and establishing a benchmark for low carbon sporting events and will be successful in showcasing Delhi 2010 as sustainable “Green Games”, added Mr. Kalmadi.

In his concluding remark, Mr. Kalmadi, gently reminded everyone on the importance of preserving our environment, he said, “ Paidh Hai to Sher Hai”.

Smt. Dikshit, Delhi Chief Minister stated that “all stadia are being constructed to ensure reasonable consumption of electricity and water in stadia during the games.” “There is also focus on bio-diverse plantation to offset the carbon footprint”, she added.

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, reiterated that the XIX Commonwealth Games would be the “greenest Commonwealth Games ever.” He further went on to add that “the games would leave a legacy beyond roads and infrastructure; one of greater consciousness of the environment.”

Key initiatives include:

Launch of city forest plantations in Delhi

Plans being finalised for plantations across India linked to the Queens Baton Relay 2010 domestic leg

Thyagaraj Stadium – emerging as the model green sporting venue not just in the country but also one of its kind in the world

Commonwealth Garden to be established by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) at Africa Avenue

Multiple sensitisation and communications campaigns such as Cleaner Delhi campaign, Energy conservation Campaign, Water Day Celebrations, Sustainable Transport Promotion Campaign

Partnering with United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)

Green Games Environment Sub Committee

World Forestry Day celebrated with the Games’ “200 Days To Go” event Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi

World Forestry Day celebrated with the Games’ “200 Days To Go” event Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi

New Delhi, 22 March 2010: Marking the World Forestry Day on March 21, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi celebrated the “200 Days To Go” for the Games with the ‘Green’ theme.

The event was organised on a bright and sunny spring day in the lawns of India Gate. The participants enthusiastically celebrated the biggest milestone of the Games till date and it was an instant success. As the first ever Green Games, the ‘200 Days to Go’ celebrations of Delhi 2010 was a preview of the green initiatives taken up.

Every year, on 21 March, World Forestry Day is celebrated across the globe for the last 30 years to aware people about the importance of forests and its multiple benefits. The celebration of the milestone of the Green Games had a green flavor. There was an overwhelming response from the visitors that was evident from the crowd at the kiosk set up by the Sustainability and Environment FA of OC CWG Delhi 2010 for saplings distribution. As many as 1500 saplings were distributed amongst the visitors in jute bags. The jute bags were also distributed with an objective to promote the use of eco-friendly material over the plastic bags.

The objective of the plants distribution campaign was to encourage the citizens of Delhi to adopt a plant and to nurture it. The campaign actively involved the general public to prevent the depletion of forests and to expand the existing ones for future generations. The species distributed during the ceremony mainly consisted of the indigenous species such as Mangifera indica, Callistemon, Syzygiam cumini, Acacia nilotica and various other kitchen garden plants.

Green Games’ Sustainable Transport Rally spreads the message of eco-friendliness Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi

Green Games’ Sustainable Transport Rally spreads the message of eco-friendliness Green Games’ Sustainable Transport Rally spreads the message of eco-friendliness Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi

Shera, the Games Mascot, flagging off the rally

Keeping up with the Green theme of the Delhi 2010, the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010) today organised Sustainable Transport Rally comprising of eco-friendly means of transport like cycles and electric (battery running) cars and scooters.

Almost 200 enthusiasts from all walks of life, young and old participated in the 8 km long rally. Cycle rally was flagged off by Shera, the Games mascot, from the OC CWG Delhi 2010 Headquarters and the other rally comprising of electric vehicles started from Delhi Chief Minister Mrs. Sheila Dikshit’s residence. Mrs Dikshit herself drove an electric car Reva. Apart from the Cheif Minister, Mrs. Kiran Walia, Health Minister of Delhi. Mr. R. K. Pachauri, MD, TERI, Mr. Parimal Rai, Chairman , NDMC, Mr. P. K. Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Mr. V. K. Verma, DG of the OC CWG Delhi 2010 participated in the Rally. Both rallies culminated at Commonwealth Gardens in Africa Avenue, Chanakyapuri where the Chief Minister and other guests planted a sapling in the Commonwealth Garden.

Speaking on the occasion Mrs Dikshit said we need to spend our natural resources wisely as there are many species but only one Earth. She lauded the efforts of children, RWAs, women organisations and NGOs to make Delhi one of the greenest cities in India and in the world.

“Delhi is one of the largest cities. We need to strike a balance between the huge, rising population and the natural resources and spend them wisely. Almost 42% of the clean, fresh water available to Delhi is wasted, we must change our habits. Fuel consumption is another reason for environmental pollution hence battery run vehicles are an option. We must have courage to demand clean fuel so that companies provide us the same.”

Mr. Pachauri said, “It is heartening to see many young people today turning up to protect environment. We must work together to make sure that we bring prosperity for all.”

Mr. Verma said OC CWG Delhi 2010 is committed make Delhi 2010 the first ever Green Games. Delhi Government’s initiative for clean transport like Metro, Cycling tracks for cyclists, etc., are playing huge role in improving Delhi’s air quality.

The Chief Minister released State of Environment Report for Delhi 2010. Bonsais were presented to all the guests. The Rally that travelled to different parts of the city spread the message Reduce, Recycle and Reuse.

Striving towards Consumption – Carbon Neutrality The XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Ecological Code

 

Striving towards Consumption – Carbon Neutrality

The XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Ecological Code

Vertical	Strategy	Ecological Code
Land	Biodiversity enhancement through greening programmes	• Extensive afforestation to enhance biodiversity by planting about two million tree saplings • Five million potted plants to be placed across the city • Maximise use of sustainable construction materials for Games venues
Energy	Energy security through green energy and efficiencies	• Strive for maximum use of green energy usage during the Games • Reduce energy consumption at least by 25 percent through catalysing energy conservation and efficiency at Games venues.
Water	Effective waste water management and optimised consumption	• Reduce water consumption at least by 20 percent through use of water efficient fixtures and faucets at Games venues • Encourage waste water treatment and reuse while ensuring effluent quality as per national standards
Waste	Effective closed loop waste management system	• Adopt principles of integrated waste management to reduce waste and optimal segregation of up to five waste categories • Minimise landfill through maximising innovative waste treatment and recycling solutions
Air	Reduce, measure and monitor air and noise pollution levels	• Strive towards achieving national standards for air pollutants • Encouraging use of clean fuel driven public transportation
Carbon	Reduce and offset of emissions to attain carbon neutrality	• Cut Games emissions by up to 50 percent through energy efficiency initiatives and use of clean fuel • Strive to achieve 100 percent offset of the Delhi 2010 carbon footprint
Awareness	Mass communication of green initiatives using the Delhi 2010 platform	• Create awareness among citizens of Delhi, India and the Commonwealth towards preserving biodiversity, personal sustainability, waste management, sustainable transport and resource conservation.

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