This report aims to analyze the projects implemented by the city of Beijing to incorporate environmental sustainability into the 2008 Olympic Games and fulfil the environmental commitments made during the candidature phase. The study was conducted between February and July 2007, and the analysis includes data and information collected in Beijing between March and May 2007.
The report considers the programmes and projects developed by the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and the initiatives of relevant Beijing Municipal Government Departments, Bureaus, Agencies and Commissions within the boundaries of the municipal territory. Although aware that environmental issues are inextricably bound with social and economic issues, as well as human rights concerns, in looking at the preparations for the Games this report does not consider the social or economic aspects of the many initiatives examined, but focuses strictly on environmental consequences and implications. Nor, due to logistical constraints, does the report analyze the initiatives undertaken in the cities of Hong Kong, where the equestrian event will take place, Qingdao, host of the sailing competition, and Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao, which will host some events of the football preliminaries.
The study is based on data and information officially released by the Chinese authorities and BOCOG, substantiated by field research conducted by the principal author. It takes into account visits to Beijing and meetings with Chinese officials undertaken by the UNEP Director of Communications and Public Information and UNEP’s Chief of Outreach, responsible for coordinating UNEP’s sport and environment programme. UNEP technical staff from the Division of Early Warning and Assessment provided additional informationand comments.
The documents analyzed for the report include official reports released by BOCOG from 2003 to the present, including the most recent environmental technical report; ‘Beijing 2008: Environmental Protection, Innovation and Improvement’, reports issued by environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs)on Chinese environmental issues, and the official presentation made by the Government during meetings with UNEP.
The principal author spent a total of four weeks conducting interviews and field inspections during two separate visits to Beijing in March and April 2007. The visits included surveys of environmental facilities and building sites, and meetings with BOCOG, the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), the Beijing Municipal Government, environmental NGOs and communities in the urban area surrounding Beijing. Facilities inspected included Olympic venue construction sites, wastewater treatment plants, landfills, medical waste processing facilities, factories and energy production plants. The author gained additional information through in-depth and continuous review of media coverage of the Games.
The Construction and Environment Department of BOCOG was the main point of contact during UNEP’s visits, with BOCOG facilitating meetings with other involved parties. At municipal level, the principal author met with representatives from the:
- Beijing 2008 Project Construction Headquarters Office,
- Beijing Water Authority,
- Beijing Municipal Bureau of State Land and Resources,
- Beijing Municipal Bureau of Industrial Development,
- Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform,
- Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau,
- Beijing Municipal Committee of Transport,
- Beijing Municipal Administration Commission,
- Beijing Gardening and Greening Bureau,
- Beijing Gas Group,
- Beijing Municipal Administration and Law Enforcement Bureau,
- Olympic Science and Technique Commission,
- Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture Heritage.
A significant contribution was made by WWF International and WWF China, Greenpeace China, Conservation International China, Global Village Beijing, and IUCN headquarters and the IUCN China office, who all gave their perspectives on the sustainability of the Beijing Games. As well as providing information, these organizations also supported the project by reviewing the draft report.
Further review was provided by UNEP staff members, who also contributed to the report by supporting the development of its conclusions and recommendations. In the spirit of transparency, a draft of the report was shared with the IOC and BOCOG, as well as the NGO partners listed above, but it is important to note, however, that at no time did any organization or individual attempt to influence the review beyond pointing out errors of fact. It should also be noted that this is the first time that the IOC has endorsed an independent environmental review of an Olympic Games.
Notwithstanding the near total reliance on information provided by the Chinese authorities, UNEP is confident that the study has been carried out with the most accurate, impartial and scientific approach possible, and paints an independent picture of Beijing’s efforts to incorporate the principles of environmental sustainability into the 2008 Olympic Games.