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The environment is one of the three pillars of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and one of the top priorities on the global political agenda. As one of the founding members of the „Alpine Convention”, which was signed in Salzburg in 1991 and established the international protocols for environmental protection across the Alps, Austria has been a leading innovator in environmental protection and sustainability for decades. The environment is, therefore, a highly important aspect in the concept of Salzburg’s bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2014 as well. The Games present a great opportunity for Salzburg to push the innovation of energy technology to new levels, creating an event that has low-emission benchmarks in energy production, achieves high levels of energy conservation and relies on sustainable transport systems.
As the Vice-Governor of the State of Salzburg, responsible for Finance, Sports and Environment, Othmar Raus stated during the IOC Evaluation Commission’s visit: „We in Salzburg have been active for centuries in this area. We do not merely enjoy the beautiful nature which surrounds us, we are at pains to protect it.“ Being one of the world’s leading nations in protecting nature and developing solutions for renewable energy sources, waste policy, ecological food and biomass systems, Austria is one of Europe’s top nations in the use of renewable energy. More than 80 percent of Salzburg’s electricity is delivered from renewable sources, mostly by hydropower, wind and biomass. Another dimension of Salzburg’s environmental leadership is found in the technology for biomass heating systems. Today, biomass heating systems are in operation in 74 municipalities, representing 20% of all households of the State of Salzburg. At the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salzburg, biomass heating would be used to ensure the highest standards of energy efficiency at all Games venues. Having hosted numerous World Cup and World Championships over the years, waste management at world class sporting events is nothing new to Austria. It is rather a matter of daily routine to separate glass, paper, organic waste, plastic, and metals at record levels. If Salzburg is awarded the Games in 2014, a „Sustainable Olympiad“ would be started in 2010. Salzburg would invite the global community to participate in a best-practices exchange about sustainable development in alpine areas, an annual event that would make the Olympic Movement one of the driving forces for sustainable alpine development. At the Games in Salzburg, 75% of spectators and the general public will travel to the Olympic events on sustainable mass transit systems powered by renewable sources of electricity. In addition, Salzburg’s key Olympic environmental goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 20% during Games time; an ambitious, but achievable goal. Salzburg Mayor and President of Salzburg 2014 Heinz Schaden: “Sustainability and conservation is a way of life for us. Salzburg 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are planned and organised with emphasis on building key relationships and strategies in order to fulfil our promise and to make further progress in our environmental quest. With over ten thousand media representatives in the region for the Winter Games the environmental agenda would be communicated to a world audience enhancing the third pillar of the Olympic Movement – the environment – greatly. I can assure that Salzburg will deliver on the environmental agenda should Salzburg have the honour to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2014.“ |
