2020 Tokyo Games to Be Fully Powered by Renewable Energy

June 22, 2018

Tokyo- The 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee aims to fully power the games with renewable energy under its plan to help realize a sustainable society through the quadrennial events.

The electricity used at all venues will be derived entirely from renewable energy sources to promote decarbonization. The committee also plans to use rental and lease services so that 99 pct of the goods to be procured for the games will be reused or recycled.

The renewable energy target will also cover the athletes' village, the international broadcasting center and the main press center. Such an attempt "should be unprecedented in past games," a committee official said.

The committee aims to achieve the target by buying renewable energy from power companies and installing solar panels.

As for materials procurement, the committee plans to use rented and leased items as much as possible. When purchases are necessary, the committee will draw up measures beforehand to secure recipients of the items after their use at the games.

The 99 pct recycling and reuse target matches the goal set for the 2012 London Games. Exempted from the Tokyo target will be doping test kits and some other items.

For waste such as plastic bottles and food generated at the venues, the recycling and reuse target is set at 65 pct, against the 62 pct goal at the London Games.

The committee is considering another project involving citizens following the ongoing one to create games medals from metals collected from used mobile phones and other equipment.

It will also promote the idea of sustainability among the public.

"It's crucial to pass it on as a legacy," an official said. Jiji Press