Birmingham 2022 Marks 500 Days To Go With Carbon Neutral Pledge

Birmingham 2022 organisers have marked the 500 Days to Go milestone by unveiling plans to deliver the first ever carbon-neutral Commonwealth Games.

The news comes as the Games announces a new partnership with Severn Trent, which will become Birmingham 2022’s Official Nature & Carbon Neutral Supporter.

The water company will be responsible for delivering a series of initiatives that help offset the carbon generated by the Commonwealth Games and will aim to leave a positive social and environmental legacy of sustainability in the West Midlands. 

According to organisers, Severn Trent will create 2022 acres of forest, as well as 72 tennis-court-sized mini forests, to be built in urban areas across the West Midlands. Each mini forest will be linked to one of the nations and territories competing at the Games, while the larger forests – intended to be based in the West Midlands – will feature native species. Organisers say the move will help local people reconnect with nature while also helping to offset the carbon generated by the Games.

Severn Trent says it is also pledging to be a net zero carbon organisation by 2030, and has committed to planting 1.3 million new trees and enhancing 5,000 hectares of biodiversity as part of its existing Great Big Nature Boost initiative.

Meanwhile, Birmingham 2022 has also published a new sustainability pledge, which has laid clear a series of commitments and the steps it will take to become the most sustainable Commonwealth Games to date. The measures include addressing air quality and emissions from its generators and fleet of vehicles; promoting a circular economy and minimising waste; delivering conservation initiatives by increasing biodiversity at its sites and working with the National Trust, Environment Agency, and Carbon Trust; insuring the Games is the most accessible to date; and promoting diversity, social issues, and human rights.

“We have always had strong ambitions to set new standards in all we do with these Commonwealth Games and make significant progress in areas that matter,” said Ian Reid, CEO, Birmingham 2022.

“Our plan not only outlines how we will continue to support the regionwide economic recovery, but also demonstrates how we will leave a credible piece of social and environmental legacy.  

“Our new partnership with Severn Trent is incredibly important to achieving these ambitions, and it sets a compelling benchmark for how we deliver on all aspects of sustainability over the next 18 months.  Our commitment to become the first carbon-neutral Games is a significant one, and this marks just the start of our journey to make these Commonwealth Games the most sustainable to date”.

Liv Garfield, CEO of Severn Trent said: ”We’re delighted to be partnering with the Commonwealth Games and to play a leading role in helping make Birmingham 2022 the most sustainable games ever. We’re passionate about making a positive impact on the communities and the environment where we live and operate, and to the lives of everyone that we serve.  

“And that’s why we just had to be involved. Through this exciting partnership we’ll build on our existing work and ambitions to deliver lasting social and environmental change by creating new green urban spaces, further enhancing biodiversity, promoting plastic-free thinking and ultimately delivering a carbon neutral legacy for generations to come.”

CGF President, Dame Louise Martin added: “Birmingham 2022’s plan to stage the first ever carbon-neutral Commonwealth Games is an historic moment for Commonwealth Sport. It reinforces our commitment to ensure that the Games leaves a positive social and environmental legacy for generations to come.

“The creation of 2022 acres of forest, as well as 72 new urban forests in the West Midlands, is an inspired initiative that will provide numerous benefits for the local community. 

“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. I would like to give special recognition to our excellent team at CGF Partnerships (CGFP) in securing Birmingham 2022’s Official Nature & Carbon Neutral Supporter.  Severn Trent is the perfect partner to help us deliver a carbon neutral legacy and we are delighted to be working with them.”