Tokyo 2016 commits to greener Olympics

The city of Tokyo has taken a global leadership position on environment and sustainability, adopting every environmental initiative put forward by planners at the C40 Climate Change Conference.
The move is a boost to Tokyo 2016âs plan to host the greenest Olympic and Paralympic Games in history. The conference, an international forum to discuss the measures needed to develop sustainable low-carbon cities, took place in Tokyo, and set out 13 areas of action that cities should take to address the risks of climate change. Each city agreed to begin implementing initiatives that focus on the 13 areas and will report on the status of those actions at a C40 Climate Summit in Seoul next year.
Ideas included expanding green space in metropolitan areas, monitoring genetically modified (GM) food products and the effects of global warming, as well as developing systems to allow maximum air flow and access to water. Representatives also explored solar power solutions and innovations such as water-retentive pavements to counter the heating effects of concrete.
In a joint statement Shintaro Ishihara, Governor of Tokyo and President of Tokyo 2016 and C40 Chairman, David Miller stated "the international community must cooperate in making an abrupt shift in direction for drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. A new global framework for the period from 2013 is now under discussion, but all nations of the world must reduce their emissions."
Dr Ichiro Kono, Chairman and CEO of Tokyo 2016, added: âTokyo is truly a pioneer in environmental policy making. As the issue of climate change continues to challenge the global community, our city has introduced some of the strictest regulations and most advanced green technology in the world. We present a united front and deep-rooted commitment to protecting the environment - through government initiatives, the Japanese sports movement, and the support of the Japanese people.
âOur opportunity to host the Games in 2016 coincides with Tokyoâs Big Change - the Ten Year Plan, a Tokyo Metropolitan Government project which will bring about a comprehensive urban and environmental transformation of Tokyo by the year 2016. Our Bid is committed to this shared vision and determined to learn from international best practices such as those explored at this convention.�?
The C40 conference represents another stride towards the creation of a model of sustainable urbanisation which is currently underway as part of Tokyoâs Big Change â the Ten Year Plan. By 2016 the area will have gained 1,000 hectares of new greenery helping to create an unprecedented Olympic and Paralympic experience for athletes and spectators; uniting the Games and healthy living in a convenient urban setting.