Beijing 2022; Carbon Management Plan

Source: Website Beijing 2022

 

Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 Carbon Management Plan

 

1. Introduction

This Carbon Management Plan for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 (hereinafter referred to as “Beijing 2022”) has been formulated in order to achieve low carbon management goals, promote ecological progress, seek innovations and set an example in response to climate change as stated in the Host City Contract and the bid commitments.

1.1 Guiding principles

The guiding principles for this Carbon Management Plan are Chinese President Xi Jinping’s instructions on:

 ecological progress,

 staging a “green, inclusive, open and clean” Games,

 incorporating sustainability into Games preparations, Games time, and post-Games utilisation.

Specifically active measures will be taken to:

 control greenhouse gas emissions,

 strengthen low-carbon technology innovation and promote its application and demonstration,

 strengthen institutional innovation and promote carbon offset,

 arouse public engagement and raise public awareness of low carbon,

 actively carry out international cooperation to deal with climate change, and

 strive to make the Beijing 2022 Games an important platform and window to showcase China as a key contributor and leader in global ecological progress.

1.2 Main objectives.

Carbon emission reduction and carbon offset measures will be taken to achieve the low carbon objectives of the Games which includes:

• Low-carbon energy:

• build low-carbon energy model projects,

• establish a cross-regional green electricity trading mechanism for the Beijing 2022 Games, and

• supply 100% renewable energy to meet the regular power consumption needs of all venues;

• Low-carbon venues:

• develop ultra-low energy model projects with a total construction area of not less than 3,000 square metres,

• ensure that newly-built permanent venues comply with the requirements of green building requirements;

• Low-carbon transportation:

• use clean energy vehicles (excluding special-purpose vehicles) in competition zones during Games time;

• Low carbon standards:

• promote forestry-based carbon sequestration projects,

• establish low carbon management accounting standards for the Games and create Olympic legacy.

 

2. Carbon Reduction Measures

2.1 Promote low-carbon energy model projects

2.1.1 Zhangbei flexible DC power network model project

Zhangbei project will be the world’s first ± 500 kV four-terminal ring-shaped flexible DC power network, consisting of two new-energy sending-end converter stations in Zhangjiakou of Hebei Province, with a converter capacity of 1,500 MW and 3,000 MW respectively; the Fengning regulating-end converter station in Chengde of Hebei Province, with a converter capacity of 1,500 MW; and a receiving-end converter station in Yanqing District of Beijing with a converter capacity of 3,000 MW.

The project can deliver enough renewable energy to meet the consumption needs of the installed systems which have a capacity of 6,800-7,590 MW and provide renewable energy to guarantee the power demand of the Games.

2.1.2 100% renewable energy at the venues

Cross-regional green electricity trading mechanism for renewable energy such as photovoltaic and wind power, suitable for the Games, as well as energy storage systems and power electronic equipment, will ensure full use of renewable energy at the venues for conventional power consumption needs.

The integrated application of photovoltaic and photothermic systems will be promoted in venues where conditions permit to encourage the in situ utilisation of distributed renewable energy.

2.2 Strengthen the construction and management of low-carbon venues

2.2.1 Develop ultra-low energy and low-carbon model projects in the competition zones

The three Olympic Villages in Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou competition zones shall adapt to local conditions, making full use of geothermal and waste heat resources to implement ultra-low energy and low-carbon model project with a construction area of not less than 1,000 square metres each.

The design of Olympic Villages should give priority to the use of renewable energy as well as advanced ultra-low-energy building technologies such as high-efficiency external insulation, high-performance doors and windows, and standalone fresh air system units. The development of ultra-low energy model projects at competition and non-competition venues is encouraged.

2.2.2 Promote low-carbon and energy-saving construction and transformation of venues

All venues shall meet the low-carbon, energy-saving and water-saving standards.

The newly-built indoor venues shall meet the Three-Star Standards for Green Buildings. All newly-built snow sports venues shall strictly comply with the Evaluation Standard for Green Snow Sports Venues.

Existing venues shall be urged to conduct energy-saving transformation and encouraged to reach the Two-Star Standards for Green Buildings.

2.2.3 Intensify low-carbon procurement and recycling of building materials

For new and existing venues, priority shall be given to purchasing products certified by national and local authorities as low-carbon or low-carbon materials labelled as energy-saving. While ensuring the durability and safety of the building, it is preferred to use renewable/recyclable materials and building materials produced from waste as raw materials. Strengthen the recycling of materials used for the newly-built venues.

For temporary venues and facilities, renewable/recyclable materials, detachable parts or units shall be used as much as possible, and reused after dismantled.

2.2.4 Promote intelligent management of energy consumption and carbon emission during venue operations

The newly-built venues in Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou competition zones shall set up their respective energy control centres in accordance with the Beijing Municipal Guide to Building Energy Control Centres for Non-Industrial Energy Users. These centres will be in charge of monitoring the consumption of electricity, gas, water and heat, calculating and controlling the energy use by such services as air conditioning, heating, elevators, and lighting by item and by zone. Existing venues are encouraged to establish their energy control centres.

2.2.5 Improve ice-making and snow-making efficiency

High-efficiency snowmaking equipment should be selected according to local conditions and the amount of man-made snow should be controlled at a reasonable level. The design of the refrigeration system should comply with the principle of maximum energy saving, and make full use of the residual heat of the ice rink. The use of refrigerants should comply with the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and relevant national regulations. CO2 refrigeration demonstration should be conducted at relevant venues.

2.2.6 Strengthen waste recycling management

Implement waste sorting management to improve recycling rate and reduce waste.

2.3 Develop low-carbon transport system

2.3.1 Make full use of high-speed rail for transport between competition zones

Develop a cross-zone railway use policy and encourage spectators to travel by train between Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou during Games time.

2.3.2 Comprehensively utilise intelligent transport system and management measures

During Games time, the following comprehensive urban traffic management measures will be adopted in Beijing and Zhangjiakou to reduce the use of motor vehicles:

– strengthen the sharing of Games traffic and urban traffic information to improve the scheduling system and the intelligent management of urban public transport,

– integrate traffic and weather information,

– improve the Internet and mobile terminal traffic information inquiry system,

– provide traffic information service to Games spectators by using advanced traffic information technologies such as dynamic traffic information release and guidance system,

– conduct real-time analysis of the flow of pedestrians and vehicles,

– strengthen the release of information on inter-city and intra-city traffic including railways, civil aviation, public transport, and taxis as well as transport facilities such as parking lots and charging poles.

2.3.3 (1) Games-time clean energy transport

Passenger vehicles used for the Games will be powered by new energy. New energy vehicles will be promoted in each competition zone, and applications of hydrogen fuel vehicles that comply with the relevant model catalogue will be promoted.

(2) Games-time transport facilities

Charging poles and hydrogenation stations will be installed to power electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles in competition zones.

(3) Games-time logistic vehicles

During Games time, the logistics delivery operation in competition zones and urban areas shall adopt new energy vehicles or vehicles that meet the National VI b emission standards.

2.3.4 Vigorously promote green low-carbon travel modes

Beijing and Zhangjiakou are advocating the “135” green and low-carbon travel modes (walking for distance within 1 km, biking within 3 km, and using public transport within 5 km). The proportion of green travel in downtown Beijing and Yanqing District has reached more than 75% and over 60% in Zhangjiakou.

2.3.5 Apply low-carbon engineering technologies to build transport facilities

During construction, engineering methods, construction materials and construction machinery that meet environmental protection requirements will be adopted, the technology of asphalt wet-mixing and recycling of old road materials will be vigorously promoted, as well as reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and re-exploitation of resources.

2.4 Initiatives pioneered by Beijing 2022

2.4.1 Reutilise abandoned factory buildings

Comprehensively utilise and transform abandoned factory buildings, and build high-standard green office area in Shougang Park to house the Beijing 2022’s headquarters.

2.4.2 Make full use of renewable energy

The Beijing 2022 office area fully utilises photothermal technology and uses solar water heaters to replace existing gas-fired ones in the dining hall and office buildings. The venue also strictly implement the energy efficiency label system and procure only products whose energy efficiency has reached level 1.

2.4.3 Vigorously promote low-carbon office operation

The Organising Committee has formulated and implemented administrative methods which enable all departments to make full use of the information system for daily office work. The use of e-documents and of both sides printing is encouraged to reduce office supplies consumption such as paper and ink cartridges. Electricity and water conservation is promoted and staff are encouraged to the use video conference system to reduce carbon emissions during the preparation and staging of the Games.

2.4.4 Actively advocate low-carbon travel

Beijing 2022 advocates its staff to use public transport and share their travel mode by designating one No-Driving Day per week. The Committee also advocates the voluntary purchase of state-certified voluntary emission reduction quota to offset carbon emissions generated by their own trips; plans and stages carbon reduction activities engaging the International Olympic Family and Beijing 2022 workforce.

2.4.5 Advocate low-carbon spectator behaviours

Beijing 2022 encourages low-carbon behaviours among spectators, including low-carbon travel, the use of electronic tickets, check-in at home stays, and recycling of materials.

3. Carbon Offset Measures

3.1 Forestry-based carbon sequestration in Beijing

(Beijing Afforestation and Greening Project)

Promote the construction of 380,000 mu of afforestation and other afforestation projects in Beijing, and donate the carbon sinks generated during the 2018-2021 period to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee to offset the greenhouse gas emission of the Games.

3.2 Forestry-based carbon sequestration in Zhangjiakou

(Beijing-Hebei Afforestation Project for Ecological Water Source Protection)

Promote the construction of 500,000 mu of ecological water conservation forest in Zhangjiakou, and donate the carbon sinks generated by the project during the 2016-2021 project to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee to offset the greenhouse gas emissions of the Games.

3.3 Voluntary actions taken by Games-associated enterprises

Games-associated enterprises are encouraged to donate their quotas in national and municipal carbon emission trading markets and state-certified voluntary emission reduction amount to the Organising Committee to offset some of the greenhouse gas emissions of the Games. They are also encouraged to develop voluntary low-carbon action plans and adopt low-carbon energy-saving measures such as low-carbon production, office operation and travel.

3.4 Carbon Generalised System of Preferences Project (Carbon-GSP)

Actively advocate a low-carbon lifestyle in the society, promote the GSP system, build a voluntary emission reduction trading platform for the public, and encourage enterprises, social organisations and individuals to adopt low-carbon and eco-friendly behaviours and donate their carbon reduction amount certified by the state and local authorities in Beijing and Hebei Province, and actively contribute to the diversified low-carbon activities of the Games.

4. Supporting Measures

4.1 Strengthen coordination

The tasks related to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 Carbon Management Plan have been included as key tasks into the work scope of Beijing Working Group on Comprehensive Air Pollution Control and Climate Change Response and Hebei Leading Group on Climate Change Response. The supervision and assessment of the implementation of those tasks will be strengthened to ensure the realisation of the low carbon goals of the Games.

4.2 Define responsibilities

All responsible departments and units shall effectively perform their duties, refine the annual objectives and tasks according to this plan, define their respective responsibilities, and comprehensively implement them.

4.3 Strengthen management

Each responsible department and unit shall establish a working mechanism, strengthen process management, collect and sort out work progress information and data, coordinate to solve difficulties encountered in a timely manner, and ensure that the tasks are well implemented. Inter-departmental communication, cooperation and information sharing should be strengthened. Carbon emission reports and assessment reports for the Games will be issued on a regular basis as required by the IOC.

4.4 Enhance communications

On occasions of the International Olympic Day, National Low Carbon Day and World Environment Day, awareness activities shall be organised on the theme of climate change, to promote low-carbon management of the Beijing 2022 Games and call for the public to actively live a low-carbon life and create a favourable social environment. Beijing 2022 will promote the highlights of low-carbon management achievements of the Games through various channels such as media and international conferences, and expand the international influence of the Games.