Independent Environmental Assessment, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Compiled by independent United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) experts in consultation with non-governmental organisations, the Beijing Municipal Government, the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau and the Beijing Olympic Organising Committee.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were widely acclaimed as one of the most spectacular sporting events ever held, not least as a result of the sumptuous and dazzling opening ceremony and the high standards of competition from athletics and swimming to horse-jumping and yachting.
But what of the environment which along with the sport and culture is the third pillar of Olympism? How did these Olympic and Paralympic Games rate in terms of sustainability and their contribution to a green legacy for Beijing, China and beyond.

This report discusses the environmental measures taken by the organisers and assesses their effectiveness and lessons learnt, all of which will be useful for those planning future Olympic and other sporting events.

There is a copy in the Library available for loan.