"Be better, together - For the planet and the people." - Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Tokyo 2020 is set to be one of the most sustainable Olympic Games we have ever seen and while all Olympic games are founded on the basis of passing on “legacies”, we think Tokyo's legacy will be the best one yet.
With the introduction of 5 new sports this year, these Games are aiming to engage a younger generation which we think ties in perfectly with their ambitious but doable sustainability goals, something that the younger generations care so much about too.
UN and Tokyo 2020, leverage power of Olympic Games in global sustainable development race that meets the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and will be carried out throughout the games.Some examples of our favourite development goals are; climate action, life below water and life on land.
According to the Official Tokyo 2020 site they will take the initiative to meet its responsibility to deliver sustainable Games and showcase solution models of global sustainability challenges to people in Japan and around the world.
But their legacy doesn't stop there… The Tokyo 2020 Games have created 5 main themes of Sustainable and Sustainably sourcing. With an extra unprecedented year of preparation under their belts we are sure to see an amazing and very sustainable Games this year!
These 5 main themes for the 2020 Games are as follows:
1. Climate Change: These Games are truly tackling CO2 emissions head first. Not only have they only had to build 40% of the venues for the Games, which significantly reduces the amount of CO2, EVERY competition venue will operate on 100% renewable energy.
But that is just the beginning, any of the inevitable CO2 emissions will be tackled by the Carbon Offset Programme that has been set up in cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Saitama Prefecture that adopts the cap and trade system.
2. Resource Management: These Games will control all stages of resource management alongside the 3 Rs; reduce, reuse, recycle. You might have read about the cardboard beds used in the Olympic village - this is the perfect example of an approach they are using. These beds will be recycled and reused at the end of the games.
Some of the other examples of ways Tokyo 2020 will use the 3 Rs during the games are they aim to reduce or reuse 99% of their procured items, they also aim to reuse or recycle 65% of wastes generated from operations of the Games - according to the Official Website.
More interestingly, for the first time in Olympic history, the award ceremony podium has been made from 100% recycled household waste donated by people living in Tokyo!
3. Natural Environment and Biodiversity: Coined with the slogan “City Within Nature/Nature Within City” the Tokyo 202 Games aims to create a network that will restore and form a rich ecological network through the Games that will contribute to the creation of a new urban system. According to the Official Website; These efforts would contribute to the realisation of a model of a new mature city in which the activities of citizens would improve the urban environment which would keep developing into the future.
Another example of a major activity the Games will utilise is the effective use of water resources by using filtration facilities in the venue and utilisation of rainwater and recycled water!
4. Human Rights, Labour and Fair Business Practices: This theme is really a no-brainer - The Tokyo Games will follow in accordance with the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
One of their key major activities is addressing and raising awareness on Diversity and Inclusion. Under the tagline “Know Your Differences, Show Your Differences” their vision will be the most innovative in Olympic Games history. According to the Official Website; It will bring positive reform to the world by building on three core concepts: “Striving for your personal best” (Achieving Personal Best), “Accepting one another” (Unity in Diversity) and “Passing on Legacy for the future” (Connecting to Tomorrow)
5. Involvement, Cooperation and Communications: Tokyo 2020 have said these Games are open to everyone through participation and cooperation. This in turn should contribute to a more inclusive and diverse community.
The Tokyo 2020 Medal Project is another example of a fascinating initiative that people from all over Japan took part in. The Olympic committee organised the collection of small electronic devices which they took apart and used the metals from these devices to make the Medals!
All in all these games are set to be incredible not only for the athletes but for the whole world. We are proud of Tokyo 2020’s sustainability initiatives and hope that the legacy can be passed on to everyone.
