POSTED: Monday September 21st 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tokyo 2016 and Japanese Prime Minister share green 21st Century vision

Tokyo 2016 to contribute to PM's CO2 reduction plan

Tokyo, 21 September 2009 - Tokyo 2016 is backing the efforts of Japan’s new Prime Minister to drive a reduction in global CO2 emissions by 25 percent by 2020, in line with the Bid’s commitment to host the first ever Carbon-Minus Olympic Games in the heart of the world’s largest city.
 
Prime Minister Hatoyama is expected to discuss the bold initiative with other world leaders at the UN Summit in New York City later this month, before Tokyo 2016 outlines its Carbon-Minus vision to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 2 October in Copenhagen.
 
Speaking following a major tree-planting event at Tokyo Bay’s inspiring 88-hectare ‘Sea Forest’ green island, Tokyo 2016 Chair and CEO, Dr. Ichiro Kono, said:
 
“For decades Tokyo has been a world-leader in long-term environmental planning. Hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the catalyst to create the ultimate 21st Century showcase of environmental responsibility and sustainability.
 
“Thanks to the Olympic Games, the world will see how to care for our planet and how sport and daily life can take place in harmony with the environment. We share Prime Minister Hatoyama and Tokyo Governor Ishihara’s vision for a greener, brighter tomorrow.”
 
Sea Forest, a man-made island built from reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, will see half a million trees flourish on it by 2016, when it will be the venue location for Olympic Cross-Country Equestrian, Rowing, Canoe/Kayak and mountain bike and BMX Cycling competitions.
 
World-famous campaigner and U2 lead singer, Bono, was one of the first people to plant a sapling on Sea Forest when he gave his backing to the much-needed project. Tokyo 2016 Bid members were joined by the Vice Governor of Tokyo, Hideo Sugawara, Beijing 2008 swimming medallist, Junichi Miyashita, and thousands of Tokyo 2016 ‘green’ supporters, in the sixth major planting stage.
 
Sea Forest is just one part of the world’s most comprehensive city transformation plan launched by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) in 2006. The transformation of Japan’s capital, including the introduction of corridors of water and 1,000 hectares of greenery throughout the city, will be completed by 2016, in perfect time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
The 10-year change plan has given rise to the ‘Project for a Carbon-Minus Tokyo’, which will see public-private burden sharing and investment incentives to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
 
In line with this, Tokyo 2016 will use existing facilities wherever possible for the Games, and permanent and temporary new venues will use the latest green development techniques and completely energy-efficient design, including the use of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. Low or zero-emission vehicles are also includes in Tokyo 2016’s Games plan, which makes use of the very latest innovations for which Japan has long been renowned.

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Keywords · Tokyo 2016 · Olympic bids · Prime Minister Hatoyama

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