Perth 2011 Sets Green Goal

In a bold move to make an environmentally responsible approach to staging a World Championships more than mere sentiment, the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships has today partnered with climate change consultancy Greensense.

Perth 2011 has set an environmental and sustainable target to significantly minimise the environmental impact of this major Event, by establishing its own extensive Environmental and Sustainability Programme. The programme incorporates the six elements of greatest consequence to the World Championships – energy, ocean, venues, recycling, air and water.

Greensense will assist Perth 2011 to implement its comprehensive programme through their own Sustainable Event Management initiative, which includes recommendations designed to reduce the impacts of events such as the World Championships.

Greensense’s team will monitor and report on various facets of the Event, including travel, catering, energy use, waste management, recycling and carbon offsets, through their internationally recognised practices.

Greensense Managing Director Derek Gerrard said: “This approach will enable the organisers of the World Championships to minimise the negative environmental effects of the Event, while simultaneously maximising social and economic benefits.”

“Taking this initiative shows that the organisers recognise the value of the environment to the community in social, environmental and economic terms and are keen to ensure its longevity,” he added.

Perth 2011 Chairman Hon Ian Campbell (and former Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage) is delighted to have joined forces with the Perth-based climate change consultancy.

“I am thrilled to be working alongside Greensense, whose knowledge and expertise on these critical issues is first-rate,” Mr Campbell said.

Mr Campbell said there was a current ‘trend’ towards organisations claiming they are ‘green’ and ‘environmentally responsible’.

“The sport of sailing is an authentic environmentally responsible pursuit and is taking this commitment further with positive action,” he said.

“It is vital that large events such as the World Championships, which includes more than 1,400 athletes, 4,000 support crew and 500,000 spectators, work towards minimising their impact on the environment wherever possible. The strong partnership between Perth 2011 and Greensense will ensure that these vital matters are addressed well before the World Championships begin and continue till the end of the Event.”

Greensense will measure the carbon emissions from the World Championships, while carbon offsets partner, Carbon Conscious, will assist in delivering Greensense’s recommendations. One of the exciting initiatives will be a Perth 2011 forest – essentially the planting of trees to offset carbon emissions.

“With the support of our partners in the State and Federal Governments and the community in general, Perth 2011 will deliver a high quality World Championship that has minimal impact on the environment and leaves a lasting legacy for the sport of sailing, the state of Western Australia and the environment for years to come,” said Mr Campbell.

The Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships will be held in Fremantle, Western Australia from 3-18 December 2011.

More Information:
Event Website

Source: Perth 2011