A major step was taken today towards ensuring socially, economically and environmentally responsible Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2010 with the release of Vancouver 2010's first Sustainability Report online at vancouver2010.com.
The report sets out the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) specific sustainability commitments and progress reporting system for the next three years as it moves from planning to operations and ultimately to Games delivery. It includes accomplishments, success stories and challenges for the 2005-06 reporting period. It also details progress on initiatives for the 2006-07 reporting period, 80 per cent of which are complete or already in progress.
"We are determined to host sustainable Games as promised in our Bid and every member of our team embraces that commitment," said John Furlong, VANOC chief executive officer. "Delivering on, and being accountable to, that promise is the real test, so this first report tells how we are doing, what we still need to do and how we'll measure our performance."
"This report defines sustainability for us, namely managing the social, economic and environmental outcomes of the Games to create lasting benefits locally and globally," said Linda Coady, VANOC's vice president, sustainability. "It's a big concept that translates into thousands of efforts - big and small - that all make a difference. From redesigning Whistler alpine skiing course to avoid the small tailed frog habitat, to supporting Aboriginal youth snowboarders, to planning for a social housing legacy from the Vancouver athletes village - these and many more projects like them will leave a Canadian sustainability blueprint for future Olympic and Paralympic hosts to build upon." VANOC is the first Games Organizing Committee to integrate not only environmental but also social and economic responsibility. Today's report outlines VANOC's six areas of direct decision-making and actionable authority, including accountability; environmental stewardship and impact reduction; social inclusion and responsibility; Aboriginal participation and collaboration; economic benefits from sustainable practices; and sport for sustainable living. VANOC is using Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, a credible international standard in corporate sustainability reporting.
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
