China Media Group
February 1, 2022
Green, as the symbol of environmental protection, has become another theme color of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics despite the pure white of ice and snow.
“Green” is one of the key concepts of the Beijing Winter Olympics in line with the Olympic Agenda 2020. The Games will be the first world-class event hosted by China after the country announced its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets. The international community watches as Beijing delivers its promise to present a green Olympics.
As early as 2015 in which the country won the bid for hosting the Games, Beijing proposed 119 specific measures to address the impact on the local environment, economy, and infrastructure. The concept of “going green” was embedded in the venue construction, transportation and power supply for the Games.
All 26 venues are powered by 100% renewable energy, which is the first in Olympic history. Solar and wind energy generated in Zhangjiakou Renewable Energy Pilot Zone will be transmitted to the three Winter Olympic Games arenas in Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou. It is estimated that the CO2 emission will be reduced by 320,000 tons, the equivalent amount absorbed by nearly 32 million trees a year.
Being low-carbon is another highlight in the “Green Olympics”. All venues have met the “green standards”. New carbon dioxide refrigerants are used in four ice venues for the Games. At the same time, some venues from the 2008 Olympics will be used for the Winter Games. “Water Cube” has turned into “Ice Cube”. The basketball court will be used as the hockey rink. And both stadiums will be open to the public after the Games.
Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee said that a state-of-the-art snowmaking system was adopted to produce snow efficiently during the games. The system has zero impact on the local water supply and ecological system.
In addition, more than 80% of the vehicles in the Games are powered by hydrogen fuel, setting a new record in the history of the Winter Olympics. Efforts to plant more trees have been made in the neighboring places such as Yanqing, Beijing and Zhangjiakou, Hebei. The forest coverage rate reaches 81% in the Olympic areas in Zhangjiakou.
China’s efforts in hosting a “Green Olympics” reflects its own transformation into a greener future, which is recognized by the international community.
IOC President Bach praised the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee for its measures to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. According to Samaranch Jr, chairman of the IOC Beijing Winter Olympic Coordination Committee, the Beijing Winter Olympics will be the “greenest” Olympics. Lianhe Zaobao, a Singaporean media outlet, said China’s effort in the Winter Olympics shows the world its green transformation.
Rewritten by Wang Yizeng and Liu Likun, Fudan University
Source: FDU外院
