London: London 2012 has contributed to the development of a new global sustainability standard that helps event organisers reduce carbon emissions and waste, manage the biodiversity of venues and achieve a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Launched this month, in response to a global demand, ISO 20121, the international standard on sustainability in event management will potentially be part of a very influential global legacy.
The standard, developed by co-opted experts from 30 countries, provides a common international language for sustainability in the events industry and a practical benchmarking tool. It takes a management systems approach for running more sustainable events, which should lead to improvements in key sustainability issues such as venue selection, transport, recycling or reusing demolition waste, creating a sustainable food strategy, promoting healthy living and creating skills, employment and business legacies.
In 2011, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) became the first Organising Committee to be independently certified to the British Standard 8901: Specification for a Sustainability Management System for Events. ISO 20121 was developed following the success of BS 8901.
LOCOG and the Olympic Delivery Authority have both successfully implemented ISO 20121 making London 2012 one of the first to adopt the standard. Other early adopters include Coca-Cola and Games venues Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and Earls Court.