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SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE THE UN SYSTEM IN ACTION

With sport being intimately connected to nature and a healthy environment necessary for healthy sport, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) aims to ensure that the impact on the environment of sports facilities, events, activities and the manufacture of sporting goods is minimized. Energy and water consumption, air pollution, emissions of greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances, waste management and impacts on biological diversity are all issues for the sporting world to address. UNEP uses the popularity of sports to promote environmental awareness and respect for the environment among the public, especially young people.

UNEP (2009), Independent Environmental Assessment: Beijing Olympic Games, Nairobi, Kenya.

UNEP (2007), Beijing Olympics 2008 - An Environmental Review, Nairobi, Kenya.

German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (2007), Green Champions in Sport and Environment, Berlin, Germany.

Environment Department of the Organising Committee for XX Winter Olympic Games Torino 2006 (2006), Sustainability Report 2006, TOROC, Torino, Italy

Lo Sze Ping (2004), UNEP Environmental Assessment, Expo 2010, Shanghai, China: Full Report, UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya.

5th World Conference on Sport and Environment, Turin 2-3 December 2003, Climate Change and Winter Sports: Environmental and Economic Threats

UNEP (2001), Sustainable Sport Management, Nairobi, Kenya.

UNEP and GSA: Vital Messages

Yao Ming
Status: UNEP Environmental Champion
Date of birth: 12 September 1980
Nationality: Chinese
Sport: Basketball
Date of appointment: 9 August 2008
Personal website: yaomingfanclub.com, theyaomingfoundation.org
Quote: “In my role as an environmental champion, I will work with governments, the private sector and the public to promote good and effective management of our environment so we can preserve the planet for future generations.”

Theodore Oben
Chief, Outreach
E-mail: theodore.oben(at)unep.org

News
South Africa’s carbon footprint during World Cup year lower than projected – UN report 10 October 2012
UN News Centre – South Africa’s carbon footprint for 2010, the year it hosted the football World Cup, was lower than previously expected, says a new United Nations report, which highlights the successes and lessons that other countries must learn to ensure the sustainability of major international sporting events.
UN ignites the flame of social change through the London 2012 Olympics 13 August 2012
Geneva (UNOSDP) – The London 2012 Olympic Games came to an end yesterday and are already widely lauded as an overall success, with plenty of historic moments that will stay fresh in the minds of many for years to come. But beyond the stadiums, courts and fields where sporting excellence prevailed, the event offered the opportunity to help advance the human development agenda.
Secretary-General takes part in torch relay ahead of Olympic Games in London 26 July 2012
London/New York (UN News Centre) – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today took part in the traditional torch run ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games which start on Saturday in London, in the United Kingdom.
London 2012 Will Leave a Lasting Legacy for the UK and the Olympic Movement: UNEP Executive Director 26 July 2012
London (UNEP) – Many of London 2012's sustainability measures were given the thumbs up by UN Under-Secretary General and UN Environment Programme Executive Director Achim Steiner as he toured final preparations for the summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
UNEP Honoured to Carry Olympic Flame En Route to London 2012 Opening Ceremony 14 July 2012
Southampton (UNEP) – UNEP gave a hand over the weekend assisting the historic Olympic flame to make its journey around the United Kingdom as part of the preparations for the opening of the London 2012 summer games.

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