PyeongChang 2018 publishes the ‘Green House Gases Inventory Report’

The PyeongChang Organising Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) has published the ‘Green House Gases (GHGs) Inventory Report’ as the first step towards accomplishing the ‘Green Dream: O2 Plus Winter Games’ vision for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games. This report includes an inventory of estimated GHGs emissions during the entire preparation period of the 2018 Winter Games from 2012 to 2018.

POCOG has adopted international standards such as ISO 14064-1 and WBCSD/WRI GHG Protocol and estimated the total amount of GHGs emissions for the Winter Games. Some 1.56 million tons of CO2 -eq are estimated to be emitted during the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games, which is equivalent to approximately 31 per cent of that emitted for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games (5.1 million tons of CO2 –eq).

In order to keep its promise to offset 100 per cent of GHGs emissions as stated in the bidding file, POCOG has devised a long-term strategy plan to reduce/offset GHGs for both Games (2018)/post-Games (-2020, -2025) time. POCOG aims to reduce 30~40 per cent (0.47~0.63 million tons of CO2 –eq) of the total emissions in 2018 and offset 100 per cent by 2025, enabling the committee to stage the first Carbon Responsible Games in history.

To implement the strategy, POCOG will strive to reduce GHGs emissions by taking various actions; providing electricity to venue cities by organising a wind plant complex; building facilities to utilise geothermal and solar energy in newly constructed venues; expanding the use of eco-friendly cars such as electric cars; and promoting civil participation for green activities. Also, POCOG plans to offset the rest of the emissions by securing the International Certified GHGs Emission Credit through the registration of GHGs reduction businesses planned by enterprise and venue cities.

Upon completion of the report, the prestigious Korean Standards Association (KSA) awarded POCOG a ‘GHGs Verification Statement’ to officially certify the ‘GHGs Inventory Report’ for its proper and accurate estimation process at a commemorative ceremony held at the POCOG office in PyeongChang on February 23rd. The attendees included KIM Sang-pyo, Vice President, Venue and Infrastructure of POCOG and YOO Yun-Baek, Executive Director of KSA.