April 1, 2008 (Vancouver, BC) – The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today released its second corporate Sustainability Report, re-affirming its commitment to deliver a socially, economically and environmentally responsible Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The report covers the 12-month period between August 1, 2006 and July 31, 2007, and can be viewed at www.vancouver2010.com.

Based on Vancouver 2010 Bid commitments and sustainability reporting guidelines established by the internationally recognized Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the report tracks VANOC’s performance to date on its sustainability objectives. It also discusses the Organizing Committee’s challenges and future plans on sustainability issues within its decision-making authority.

“Sustainability touches everything at VANOC,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “It is a consideration in all our planning and daily activities. With just under two years remaining until the 2010 Winter Games, this report details the steps we are taking to live up to our commitment to convene sustainable Games and to produce enduring benefits locally and globally.”

VANOC’s 2006-07 Sustainability Report takes a comprehensive look at outcomes in six performance areas under VANOC’s direct control: accountability; environmental stewardship and impact reduction; social inclusion and responsibility; Aboriginal participation and collaboration; economic benefits; and sport for sustainable living.

This is the second of five sustainability reports that VANOC intends to issue during the course of the project. It reflects input from the general public, VANOC’s own workforce, and representatives from inner-city, environmental, sustainability, persons with a disability, labour and human rights organizations. While developing the report, VANOC also consulted with its government partners, corporate sponsors and a special multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee it has established to advise its Board of Directors on sustainability performance issues.

“Our team underwent extensive consultation with close to 100 individuals from 40 different organizations about what should be in this report,” said Ann Duffy, VANOC’s corporate sustainability officer. “The feedback and collaboration we received helped guide content as well as selection of the 31 key performance measures used in our second report.”

Two versions of the Sustainability Report are available this year; a shorter ‘snapshot’ version for readers interested in a summary, and a longer, more technical version for those who want more detail. Both versions are available in French and English on the VANOC website. Areas indicating progress by the Organizing Committee in the 2006-07 report include:

– building venues on compact sites that minimize waste from construction
– building venues that:
– conserve water and energy
– reduce greenhouse gas/carbon emissions
– provide barrier-free accessibility
– compliance with environmental regulations
– training opportunities for inner-city youth
– support for housing legacies
– ethical sourcing and sustainable purchasing
– economic opportunities for Aboriginal peoples
– raising awareness about sport among Aboriginal communities
– raising awareness about Paralympic sports locally
– workforce safety

Sustainability performance areas VANOC says it is aiming to improve and/or focus on during the next 12 months include:

– transportation planning
– avoiding disruption or displacement in inner-city communities during Games-time
– additional reductions in carbon emissions and development of a program for neutralizing or offsetting the carbon footprint of the Games
– food and beverage services
– diverting further waste from landfill
– training, recruitment and business opportunities for inner-city residents and businesses, Aboriginal communities, persons with a disability, and social and environmental enterprises
– public participation opportunities that increase awareness of sustainable living choices