The Organising Committee for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games has launched its Sustainability Management Plan, as part of its commitment to achieving its sustainability goals.
The plan aims to lay the foundations and integrate the principles, actions and projects related to sustainability when hosting major global events. It is supported by the pillars: Planet, People and Prosperity, and has been established with the input of the federal, state and municipal governments.
A technical cooperation agreement with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was also signed at the launch, which will provide an evaluation plan and mediation around the subject of sustainability between Rio 2016 and the people of Brazil.
Speaking at the launch, Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman outlined the important role that sport plays in promoting a more sustainable world. “Following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio, in 1992, the Olympic Movement's concern with environmental issues is constantly increasing. In 1996, the Olympic Charter was amended to recognize the environment as the third pillar of Olympism, and in 1999, the IOC created the Olympic Movement's Agenda 21, defining policies associated with sport.”
His was a sentiment echoed by Denise Hamú, the UNEP’s representative in Brazil, who added: “Our goal is to integrate sustainability in all organisational processes, reducing the impact of the Games and setting an example of good practice for society as a whole. Together, sports and environment are powerful tools for sustainable development. For this reason, the UNEP has worked in partnership with the Olympic Movement over the last two decades.”
During the launch it was also announced that the sub-brand “Embrace” Rio 2016 is to be used in all Games communications related to the Sustainability Plan. The sub-brand will help to align future projects with the plan’s principles, while the idea behind the chosen name is to engage people, inviting them to be part of the transformation promoted by the event.
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