Sochi 2014 Joins UNEP Climate Neutral Network
Author: Sochi 2014
Published: 12 Feb 2009 - Updated: 11 Jan 2014
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Related Publications
Synopsis: Sochi 2014 joins the United Nations Environment Programs Climate Neutral Network an initiative to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
Introduction
Sochi 2014 joined the United Nations Environment Program's Climate Neutral Network (CN Net), an initiative to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement reaffirms the commitment of the Organizing Committee for Russia's first ever Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to conserve and enhance the unique natural environment of Sochi and the Krasnodar region.Main Content
Joining the Network will give Sochi 2014 - a carbon neutral project with a zero-waste balance - unique opportunities to engage in dialog with sector experts and gain insights into one of the world's most important environmental issues.
Sochi 2014 President and CEO, Dmitry Chernyshenko, said:
"We have a great opportunity and a great responsibility to deliver an Olympic and Paralympic Games that will not only protect, but also enhance the environmental situation in the region. Driven by our commitment to a sustainable legacy and inspired by the unique and diverse ecology of Sochi, we are proud to join the UNEP's Climate Neutral Network and look forward to sharing global best practice in managing emissions."
Sochi 2014's zero-carbon balance will be achieved through utilizing green technology wherever possible and pervasive measures to offset emissions. Calculation of greenhouse emissions prior to and during Sochi 2014 will be conducted via the innovative HECTOR program (HEritage Climate TORino program), used in 2006 by the Torino Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee. This helped to ensure a carbon-neutral Games, with more than 100,000 tons of CO2 emissions offset during competition.
In the build up to Sochi 2014, the Krasnodar region's transport infrastructure will be significantly modernized, also helping to reduce emissions. Road network development and cutting-edge monitoring methods will help to prevent congestion - a significant contributor to transport pollution.
Environmentally-friendly technology and materials will additionally be a key facet of Olympic venues design and construction, along with widespread use of alternative energy sources. 2009 will see Sochi 2014 launch a new system of ecological monitoring able to track any environmental changes as preparations progress and a program of one-day seminars on innovative approaches to sustainable development and construction.
Participants will include representatives of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources, The Russian Ministry of Regional Development, The Krasnodar Regional Administration, The City of Sochi, non-governmental ecological organizations and leading environmental experts from Russia and the rest of the world.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) was established by UN General Assembly Resolution on December 15, 1972.