April 12, 2022
The construction of significant infrastructure and the transport of thousands of international athletes, officials and spectators required for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, undoubtedly leaves behind an unavoidable, hefty footprint. However, in 2032, Brisbane will be taking home the “green medal” for delivering a sustainable, resilient, and climate positive Games.
By promoting the International Olympic Committee’s “New Norms” reforms, Brisbane 2032 is able to deliver a flexible and sustainable Games through the use of existing and temporary infrastructure for 84% of the planned venues (see Part 1 of this series for further discussion on this point), and by promoting the management of climate risk, and carbon emission reductions.
This article will outline the sustainability goals of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games, as well as and practical and contractual considerations which could be implemented in major projects to promote sustainability in Australia’s construction industry.
2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games
Sustainability is not merely an “aim” for Brisbane 2032 – it is contractually required. Whist the Games planned until 2032 will seek to achieve zero net carbon emissions, Brisbane 2032 will be the first Host required to operate as climate positive (meaning it must offset more carbon emissions than it produces).
In designing a Games which meets Australia’s long-term development plans, creates lasting benefits to the climate and the Australian community, Australia will use the momentum of the Games to achieve a target of 50% renewable energy and a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 (aiming for zero net emissions by 2050), as well as supporting several of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (which advocate for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future).
The Games will promote sustainability by:
- Avoiding and minimising any adverse impacts to the environment, and compensating any residual impacts through an environmental offset regime;
- Preserving the significance of heritage places and areas, including indigenous cultural heritage;
- Protecting and enhancing environmental values and the quality of Queensland’s waters;
- Enabling increased renewable energy investment and generation to achieve 50% renewable energy by 2030; and
- Delivering infrastructure that meets or exceeds benchmark national standards.
The Games’ sustainability goals will be achieved through:
- The use of existing or temporary infrastructure for 84% of proposed Games venues, which can be shared across sporting disciplines;
- Ensuring all new vertical infrastructure or significant upgrades will achieve a 6-star (world leading practice) Green Star Building rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (where relevant);
- Ensuring all new linear infrastructure or significant upgrades will achieve an infrastructure sustainability rating of “excellent” or greater, from the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (where relevant);
- Encouraging behavioural changes towards climate friendly policies;
- Targeting zero net waste (through reduce, reuse, recycle initiatives);
- Targeting 100% renewable electricity and fuel use for construction phases, and delivering assets that achieve same;
- Incorporating technologies in Games infrastructure that supports low carbon operations (as appropriate), including, for example, electric vehicle charging infrastructure;
- Promoting the use of public transport, and implementing other transport-related initiatives to minimise congestion and emissions during the Games;
- Ensuring all Games fleet vehicles are electric (charged from 100% renewable energy), with an aim to extend this initiative to trucks and busses; and
- Development of a Sustainable Sourcing Code and Resource Management Plan which will encourage positive supply chain impacts by: pursuing opportunities that minimise upfront resource use, and optimise future re-use or recycling; promoting the hiring, over purchasing, of goods (where applicable); and were the purchasing of goods is required, those purchases must align with the Queensland Government Procurement Policy, which directs environmentally, socially, ethically and economically responsible purchasing decisions.
The principles proposed to achieve a sustainable 2032 Games illustrates some of the changes major projects can consider and implement to promote sustainability in Australia’s construction industry.
Sustainability in the Construction Industry
The building and construction industry is a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions and waste. Globally, the industry is responsible for approximately 38% of the world’s carbon emissions (as reported by the World Green Building Council’s Global Status Report 2020).
The measures proposed for the 2032 “green-lympics”, could be mirrored by principals and contractors in their projects, to promote sustainable infrastructure, and a sustainable industry.
Practical considerations to promote sustainability include:
- The use of fuel-efficient vehicles and heavy machinery;
- Promoting energy efficient equipment (which can be as simple as implementing LED lighting and energy efficient appliances in site offices);
- The use of renewable energy sources on site, and in the final delivered project (where applicable);
- The use of building materials which are renewable, responsibly sourced, and environmentally friendly (i.e., those which have low environmental impact for their production, placement, and maintenance – which includes straw, mud brick, timber from forests certified to be sustainably managed, and recycled materials);
- Hiring, rather than purchasing, equipment for the project, and where items must be purchased, prioritising equipment that is of a high quality and can be reused;
- Reducing, reusing, recycling or reclaiming materials that would have otherwise been put into landfill, which can be achieved by purchasing quality products which are designed to last longer (reducing the parts ending up in landfill); and
- Redevelopment of brownfield sites / delivery of project upgrades, rather than new builds (where appropriate).
Contracting Considerations
In addition to the practical considerations outlined above, sustainability can also be promoted contractually, in the form of a general obligation or a specific technical requirement. These may include:
- Requiring the parties to promote sustainability within the project;
- Implementing sustainability targets, for example, requiring x% of materials used to be sustainably sourced;
- Mandating that works under the contract must be undertaken in such a way which reduces waste, carbon emissions, and energy and water consumption;
- Specifying that the final project must promote sustainability, for example, through the use of water and energy efficient assets;
- Requiring the consideration of sustainability in development of design, process, operation and maintenance of the project; and
- Implementing an environmental management plan.
These changes may seem small, but will have an Olympic sized impact on the future of the world’s climate and community.
Lamont Project & Construction Lawyers
Our Team have the industry knowledge and experience to assist both Principals and Contractors in contract development and amendments, and major project delivery. If you would like to discuss any matters raised in the above article or the forthcoming series as it relates to your specific circumstances, please contact Lamont Project & Construction Lawyers.
The contents of this article is for information purposes only; it does not discuss every important topic or matter of law, and it is not to be relied upon as legal advice. Specialist advice should be sought regarding your specific circumstances.
Contact: Peter Lamont or Lili Hoelscher
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