Green and Gold Environment and the Youth Olympic Games

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is dedicated to creating a more peaceful world through co-operation and
friendly competition, and a better appreciation and respect for cultural and ethnic differences.
There are three dimensions to the Olympic Movement. The first is sport and the second is culture through the staging of the
compulsory Cultural Programme for the Games, aiming to promote cultural exchange between the host and visitor.
The third dimension adopted by the IOC is the environment. Sport and the environment are inextricably linked. Athletes need
clean and healthy conditions to train and compete in; sport can also have a direct impact on the environment. It is no wonder that
the environment is the third pillar Olympism.

The Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) has recognised the importance of environmental protection and conservation as Sports and the Environment Green and Gold Environment and the Youth Olympic Games
Sports & Fitness/August 2010 23 part of Singapore’s long term strategy in sustaining the city state and has been committed to striving towards an environmentally-friendly Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. It is also their goal to set a strong foundation for future editions of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in contributing to sustainable development.
SYOGOC has therefore incorporated principles of environmental protection and sustainability into their planning process and have collaborated with partners to valuable environmental expertise.

At the same time, we also recognise that collective effort is required to promote sustainability, they realise that everyone has a part to play in saving the environment. In particular, as leaders of tomorrow, the youth have a vital role to play in these efforts.
SYOGOC have stated that is committed to organising the first Youth Olympic Games in an environmentally friendly, economically viable and socially responsible manner and will strive for minimal impact on the environment before, during and after the Youth Olympic Games so as to contribute to the well being of all participants, be they athletes, officials, spectators or volunteers.

They will be focusing on three areas: Clean environmental standards through sound practices and technologies in the most cost-effective manner; Resource efficient YOG by implementing energy efficient initiatives, water conservation features and the three R. s - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle where applicable; and the third is sustainable communities where they strive to inculcate an environmentally friendly lifestyle among YOG participants and the community in support of the YOG
Also, one of their mottos is: Think Global, Act Local Considering our global climate crisis, SYOGOC actively seeks to engage international guests and local communities to participate in Singapore 2010’s
effort to go green.
These are some of the initiatives that SYOGOC has put in place:
• Green Office Label
Environmental conservation starts within the SYOGOC headquarters. This project encourages a change in behaviour in all SYOGOC staff by urging them to adopt effective environmentally-friendly practices within the organisation.
• Towards A Litter-free Singapore
SYOGOC is working closely with the National Environment Agency (NEA) to materialise its vision towards a “litter-free YOG” by promoting a stronger public sense of social and environmental consciousness, and encouraging people to practice
proper waste disposal methods.
• Living Green @ YOV
Living Green @ YOV is a programme in the environment master plan towards an environmentallyfriendly Singapore 2010. It seeks to encourage athletes and officials who will be staying in the Youth Olympic Village which located within the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore during the Games to adopt environmentally-friendly habits through interesting activities.
• Environmentally-friendly Singapore 2010 venues
Working with non-governmental organisations such as ECO Singapore to engage the public on environmental protection and conservation issues, SYOGOC aims to raise environmental awareness during Games Time at the various Singapore 2010 venues.
Youth Olympic Games 2010 also initiated the recruitment of 100 volunteers to be ECO Ambassador as part of the inaugural Games to focus on environmental issues.
As an ECO Ambassador, each volunteer will be at the forefront representing Singapore to spread environmental-friendly messages to the world. Through their actions, there will be there ensure that the YOG participants as well as the speculators appreciate what
Singapore has done for environmental conservation and sustainable development. ECO Ambassadors will also uphold a strong social responsibility to set high standards with regard to preserving the environment by leading a more conscious and responsible lifestyle.