London, United Kingdom (CU)_ The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games’ organizers have unveiled plans to host the world’s first carbon-neutral Commonwealth Games. The announcement was made ahead of 500 days before the start of the games. To reach the environmental milestone, the organizers have planned to develop 72 new urban forests in the West Midlands, as well as an additional 2,022 acres of woodland.
Severn Trent water company has been appointed Birmingham 2022’s Official Nature and Carbon-Neutral Supporter, and it will be in charge of introducing a variety of measures to help neutralize the carbon released by the Commonwealth Games.
Ian Reid, the Games’ chief executive, claimed that he wanted the event to be the most environmentally friendly event till date. He said, “There’s a huge number of areas where the Games will have to manage its carbon footprint – transport from international travel, energy, to all the infrastructure we put in for the Games”. He added, “We’re working with Severn Trent to make sure we minimize plastic waste, make free water available so people can bring in reusable canisters and all of that hopefully will lead to some of that behavioral change right across the region.”
The projects include the formation of 2022 acres of forest and the construction of 72 tennis-court-sized mini forests in urban areas in the West Midlands. According to the event organizers, every mini forest will be connected to one of the nations and territories participating in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Native species of plants and trees can be found at the 2022 acres of forest planned for the West Midlands.
Dame Louise Martin, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said Birmingham 2022’s decision to host the first ever carbon-neutral Commonwealth Games strengthens a commitment to leaving a strong social and environmental legacy for future generations. She expressed hopes saying, “This will set a long-term blueprint for future Commonwealth Games that will make our event a global leader when it comes to staging sustainable, environmentally-sound sporting competition.”
