Salt Lake City Salt Lake CityThe Salt Lake Bid Committee for the Olympic Winter Games, 2002 (Bid Committee) intends to carry on and improve on the environmental progress initiated in Lillehammer for the 1994 Olympic Winter Games. The Organizing Committee and those that follow must meet or exceed the standards of dedication and commitment to the environment that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has adopted. All aspects of the remaining Bid effort and the subsequent organizing effort will include environmental elements insofar as is reasonably possible.
A. Environmental management will be an integral part of the Olympic Winter Games.
B. The Organizing Committee will implement the environmental platform and ensure that all aspects of the Olympic effort will be treated in an environmentally sensitive way.
C. An Environmental Advisory Committee will be formed to provide input and counsel to the Organizing Committee and its cooperating sponsors, partners, suppliers and customers.
D. The Organizing Committee will appoint a liaison to work with the Environmental Advisory Committee and the public at large.
E. The Organizing Committee will educate, train and motivate its employees to conduct the business of the Committee in an environmentally sound manner and commit to environmental leadership.
2. AESTHETICS, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION:
Future Environmental and aesthetic considerations for construction projects will continue to be dealt with far in advance of design efforts, at least as early as the programming phase. Background studies and investigations are called for and alternative designs will be reviewed for environmentally sensitive and aesthetically acceptable approaches.
In order for construction projects associated with the 2002 Games to be consistent with the IOC's goal of environmental sensitivity, the Organizing Committee will:
A. Adopt the principle of constructing facilities which
are harmonious with the aesthetic values of the
surrounding community and demonstrably protective
of the environment, and which create an overall
enhancement of the natural environment and aesthetic
factors.
C. Stipulate that all Olympic Winter Games-related
construction projects must demonstrate efforts to
minimize utilization of resources. Consideration
should be given to extending facilities' useful lives,
minimizing the consumptive use of resources in both
construction and operation of facilities, and potential
reclamation and reuse of materials required for all
temporary facilities.
D. Mandate that construction plans and specifications
contain detailed requirements for the mitigation of
aesthetic and environmental aftereffects.
E. Encourage the establishment of permanent
environmental enhancement at venues (such as nature
trails, etc.).
F. Assess environmental concerns before starting a new
activity or project and before decommissioning a
facility or leaving a site.
Temporary facilities should be planned, designed and
constructed under the same guidelines as identified under
"Aesthetics, Design and Construction" above. Additionally, the
Organizing Committee will follow the following guidelines:
A. Sites for temporary facilities should be restored or
reclaimed to the condition determined appropriate
prior to their construction and with the needs of the
community in mind.
B. Temporary facilities and/or materials used to
construct them, should have a predetermined final
use, where practicable, e.g., pre-sold second market.
C. Priority consideration should be given to the
conversion of temporary facilities into fixtures of
long-term use for overall community betterment.
4. ENERGY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT:
Since the onset of fuel shortages in the early 1970's, people have had to face the reality that energy resources are just like other natural resources: they are not infinite. Although additional fossil fuel reserves have continued to be discovered, it is widely acknowledged that energy (fuel) conservation and management must be an international priority. Furthermore, the consumption of energy resources has had negative environmental impacts, including global warming from atmosphere carbon dioxide (CO2) buildup and the "Greenhouse Effect," as well as more localized effects due to elevated levels of air pollutants such as particulates (PM10), volatile organic compounds (VOC's), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The link between energy consumption and environmental degradation is clear and imposing.
With the high visibility of the Olympic Winter Games, many opportunities will be created for the Organizing Committee to demonstrate effective and practical ways to conserve and manage energy utilization. The Organizing Committee will:
A. Adopt a policy of energy conservation and management, so as to demonstrate the need to both conserve natural resources and protect the natural environment.
B. Require that energy efficiency and conservation continue to be considered in:
1. The planning, design, construction and operation of all future Olympic Winter Games-related facilities;
2. Transportation planning and the implementation of transportation restrictions to and from venues, as well as more localized intra-urban travel associated with the Olympic Winter Games;
3. The selection of contractors and suppliers; and
4. The requirements of sponsors.
C. Consider the execution of at least one major Energy Conservation/Management Demonstration Project associated with the facilities to be constructed for, or used in conjunction with, the hosting of the Olympic Winter Games. The project should enlist the best advanced thinking of our state's colleges and universities and related research institutions, local energy resource utilities, and private sector organizations.
Because of the large numbers of people involved in the Olympic Winter Games, effectively managing waste is an important aspect of Olympic environmental sensitivity. Recent history has demonstrated that the success of an Olympic Winter Games to reduce the amount of waste generated and to recycle or reuse as much material as possible depends upon the Organizing Committee's dedication to the concept and to effective planning.
In order for the 2002 Games to be environmentally responsible in regard to waste management, the Organizing Committee will do the following:
A. Adopt the principles of "reduce, reuse and recycle."
Actively plan what steps are needed to ensure these
goals, and appoint "environmental hosts" to be
responsible for environmental impacts and activities
at each venue.
B. Develop policies and specifications for contractors,
sponsors and supplies in order to guarantee products
with optimal environmental performance. Where
possible, such specifications should be in the form of
binding contracts.
C. Require that waste be sorted at its source whenever
possible, and provide or contract for adequate
recycling facilities to deal with materials generated.
Set a goal for material recovery.
D. Maintain all venue sites and keep the Olympic Village
clear of litter. Provide frequent trash removal.
6. OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS AND SPONSORS:
Those businesses, builders, institutions and service providers
who work with and contract with the Organizing Committee should
be required to demonstrate their environmental compliance and
sensitivity. The Organizing Committee will consider the following:
A. Require bonds of contractors so that every service
performed relating to the Olympic Winter Games is
done so with the guarantee that the environment will
be left in the condition required by the Organizing
Committee after the activity is completed.
B. Require plans which demonstrate how the
environment will be impacted and restored, if
necessary.
C. Require food contractors to minimize the waste by
reducing packaging, dispensing individually wrapped
condiments only upon request, etc.
D. Encourage competitive bidding which includes
environmental projects with innovative ideas or
experiments.
E. Encourage the liaison of sponsors and contractors
with environmental study groups, universities, etc. for
promotion of environmental studies and
demonstration projects.
7.CULTURAL EVENTS AND CEREMONIES
The organization of cultural events and major ceremonies,
such as the opening ceremony, will undoubtedly have both real and
perceived environmental impacts. These high profile events will also
serve as an excellent vehicle for environmental education and a
showcase for the state of Utah's pride in its environment.
In order for the 2002 Games to be environmentally
responsible in regard to the organization of cultural events, the
Organizing Committee will do the following:
A. Ensure that events have an environmental theme or
message. Introduce and reinforce these themes during
the opening and closing ceremonies.
B. Minimize the impact of event attendance, particularly
through the use of mass transit.
C. Develop a "green tourism" ethic in the community
which can be enjoyed both during and after the
Olympic Winter Games.
D. Coordinate tree planting events with children and
athletes to compensate for trees that may have been
cut down during the construction of Olympic Winter
Games facilities, and to serve as a lasting
environmental legacy to the area. Focus these efforts
in Salt Lake City gateways and other important sites.
E. Assign "environmental hosts" to work with the
organizers of the various events. These hosts will be
responsible for the environmental activities and
impacts during the day(s) of the event.
8. SPORTS AND SPORTS ORGANIZATION:
Since "sport" and "culture" are now being joined by the
"environment" as part of the Olympic objectives, sports organizations
should be encouraged to develop an environmental element in their
organization and objectives, to promote environmental awareness.
Starting with the U.S. Olympic teams, these organizations should be
encouraged develop an environmental vision, message or profile that
is suited to the sport itself and the Olympic spirit.
The Olympic theme of sports and culture will be strengthened
by adding environmental education as its third element. This new
element is ready for nourishment by Utah's strong educational
traditions.
The Bid Committee cooperated with the Utah Office of
Education in the development of a video and classroom lesson outline
to teach about Olympism. A strong Olympism ideal is the
enhancement of the environment. The video program and lesson idea
book was completed in 1995. Workshops will be held with teachers,
and each school in the state will be given a copy of the video which
comes in a five-part series. Community workshops will also be
encouraged. The environmental segment of this program encourages
learning about development of a healthy body going hand in hand
with development of a healthy environment.
Respect for the environment, biota and extraordinary natural
resources of our state should be emphasized.
The use of the Olympic Winter Games facilities as harbors for
environmental studies and experiments also should be encouraged.
The Organizing Committee will:
A. Enlist adults, students and educators to become
involved in the implementation of the environmental
platform.
B. Work with environmental educators to involve
students and others in environmental issues related to
sport, play, outdoor life, natural resource management
and a sustainable and healthy environment.
C. Encourage discussion of these issues. Essay contests
to be encouraged in high school and university level
classes on a variety of environmental subjects. Poster
contests to be encouraged among lower grades.
D. Initiate science projects for suggestions on how to
make Olympic Winter Games facilities work toward
environmental enhancement.
E. Use the Internet through the school system to initiate
global discussion and exchange.
The desire for personal mobility has led to a virtual love affair
with the automobile, which in turn has been responsible for a host of
assaults on the natural environment: congestion, noise, energy
consumption, dedication of resources for streets, highways and
parking facilities, and air pollution. Most communities have
developed around the assumption of the continued availability of the
personal automobile. Yet congestion, air pollution, roadway
deterioration, and escalating construction costs have forced these
same communities to face the fact that this transportation option has
a limited future. Mass transit alternatives must be developed, and the
public must be educated of their value and utility.
Other environmental issues are also closely linked to
transportation elements: roadside litter, water pollution from deicing
operations (salt and sand), and vegetative damage from vehicle
exhaust are but a few. Clearly, transportation is one area where the
Organizing Committee can demonstrate a visionary commitment to
the environment. The Organizing Committee will consider the
following programs:
A. Mandatory mass-transit for spectators to-and-from
venues with off-site parking at already existing
parking facilities.
B. The development of more use (visitor) friendly transit
systems for intra-urban transportation, working in
close cooperation with transit agencies (like UTA),
regional councils, and the Utah Department of
Transportation.
C. The preparation of plans and programs to minimize
the transportation impacts of the Olympic Winter
Games on the normal transportation patterns of the
community, again working with appropriate agencies
of state and local government.
D. Cleanup of streets, roads and highways associated
with principal transportation corridors used for the
Olympic Winter Games. This could be an exemplary
public volunteer effort, but would require thorough
planning, management and public
recognition.
E. A Transportation Demonstration Project associated
with some aspect of the Olympic Winter Games. The
project should highlight and enhance the City's
development plan, and should foster a commitment to
mass transit in this context.
Providing environmentally sensitive food and lodging
services to thousands of individuals will be one of the greatest
challenges faced by the Organizing Committee. The Committee's
success in providing these services will directly impact many
associated environmental goals already listed in this platform, such
as waste management and environmental education.
In order for the 2002 Games to be environmentally
responsible in regard to the food and lodging services, the Organizing
Committee will do the following:
A. Strive to provide visitors with environmental
experiences throughout their stay, both inside and
outside of Olympic Winter Games venues by
requiring contractors to be sensitive to the
environment when providing services. Recognize the
long-term impacts of the daily environmental
education that the Olympic Winter Games can
provide.
1. Contract with "green vendors" committed to
environmentally sound practices.
2. Contract with "green hotels" to encourage
environmental involvement of the hotels.
B. Adopt and enforce strict health and safety standards
in all activities.
C. Strenuously encourage waste minimization and
recycling in all locations possible, even those outside
the control of the Organizing Committee.
D. Consider the use of Environmental bonds to guarantee
compliance with environmental commitments. Use
bonds to mitigate impacts if companies fail to meet
required standards.
In order to quantitatively ascertain the environmental impacts
of the preparation for and conduct of the Olympic Winter Games, a
comprehensive monitoring network is called for. Although large
numbers and types of measurement would be involved, many
organizations and agencies are already operating similar programs on
a consistent basis. These resources could and should be enlisted in
the monitoring program
The Organizing Committee will, in concert with appropriate
federal, state and local government agencies and the state's
institutions of higher education, develop a comprehensive
environmental monitoring program for purposes of assessing:
A. The impacts of preparing for and hosting the Olympic
Winter Games ("before," "during," and "after"
studies);
B. The environmental quality improvements resulting
from policies and programs adopted and developed by
the Organizing Committee;
C. The pros and cons of the various demonstration
projects initiated by the Organizing Committee.
Salt Lake City 2002
Winter Olympics Produced and hosted by
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