Delhi set for green Games; ecological code unveiled

The ensuing Commonwealth Games could cause at least 50 per cent less global warming than other such huge sporting events the past.

The ensuing Commonwealth Games could cause at least 50 per cent less global warming than other such huge sporting events the past.

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The organisers, partnering with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), have drawn up what is called the Delhi Ecological Code, a sort of guidebook to ensure that water and power requirements of the event are at a minimum, making the sporting event less of a burden on natural resources.

“The Code will help us make this the first carbon neutral Games ever,” Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit after inaugurating the Code, along with Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs and Suresh Kalmadi, Games organising Committee chairman on Wednesday.

According to estimates by organisers, the Games are likely to cause emission of around 1,50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases directly and indirectly.

“The exact tonnage will vary depending on the number of visitors to the Games as well,” Kalmadi said.

Working out a rough estimate of the total energy the event might consume, the Code aims to reduce electricity consumption by 25 per cent and water consumption by 20 per cent.

It has also set for itself the uphill task of cleaning Delhi's air, to meet stricter air-pollution norms before the Games.

“We hope these measures will have a lasting impact on the Games,” said Tharoor, who is also chairman of the sub-committee on Green Games of the event.

The Ecological Code has drawn up six environmental categories—Land, Energy, Air, Water, Carbon and Waste. It sets a target for each category and outlines a method of achieving that. The Code proposes to conduct waste management in a “closed loop” system.

The government will also plant two million tree saplings and five million potted plants this year.