The world is watching and this is a good opportunity for us to go green in a big way, says Sheila Dikshit
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‘Delhi is a world-class city which is serious about its environment and its responsibility’

‘Venues will implement effective energy, water and waste management systems’

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NEW DELHI: As it prepares to host the first ever “green” Commonwealth Games in the city next year, which will also be the largest sporting event ever to be hosted by the country, what Delhi hopes to leave behind with the Games is a legacy.

Working around the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation brought on by increasingly unsustainable and irresponsible energy consumption patterns across the world, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit says “the Games is our big opportunity to tell the world that we mean business when we talk about conserving our environment”.

“The world is watching and this is a good opportunity for us to go green in a big way. Delhi is a world-class city which is serious about its environment and its responsibility towards maintaining and improving it. The Games will see all-round improvement in terms of modernisation of airport, railways, setting up and enhancing a robust road network across the city, and all of it done in an environment-friendly manner. Several new buildings associated with the Games are being constructed adhering to the ‘green’ Games standards,” said Ms. Dikshit.

Almost all large sporting events hosted across the world become synonymous with large consumption footprint, typically reflected in the large amounts of construction activities, energy requirements, food consumption, water requirements, waste generation and travel requirements. This leaves a lasting impact on the environment not necessarily restricted to the host city, notes a release issued by the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010.

And cognisant of this fact, the Committee claims to be focused on “prioritising environmental issues and concerns in planning and delivery of the Games”.

“Delhi is getting ready to host the first ever green Commonwealth Games and it is our vision to strive towards reducing the carbon footprint through sustainable action and demonstrating eco-consciousness. The Organising Committee Commonwealth Games-2010 has a strategic memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Environmental Programme to assist in the delivery of the ‘Green Games Mandate’,” said Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010.

“This initiative will impact the competition, non-competition venues and training venues, including various Games-related activities. The venues have been developed keeping in mind the green vision with the principle of sustainable site planning, design and construction of buildings being followed. Venues will implement effective energy, water and waste management systems,” he added.

The highlights of greening project -- the Games Village and Thyagaraj Stadium -- are expected to set new standards for sustainability.