12 Apr 2011 12:04:08

London 2012 to fall short of renewable energy targets

The London 2012 Olympics will fall short of its renewable energy targets, but will still achieve "unprecedented" levels of sustainability, a new report claims.

In its annual review for 2010, the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 said good progress had been made during the past 12 months, but more action earlier in the programme would have allowed the games to be greener.

Just nine percent of the energy used to power the Olympic Park will come from renewable sources, less than half of the original 20 percent target, the report found.

The commission said it was "reasonably confident" CO₂ reduction benchmarks would be hit and said it is "assured" the Olympic Delivery Authority had explored all possibilities for hitting its 20 percent target.

Chair of the watchdog Shaun McCarthy said the removal of the wind turbine from plans for the park was the main reason why renewable energy targets would not be met.

Instead, CO₂ emissions will be reduced through energy-efficiency projects taking place in the local area.

"It is regrettable that the renewable energy industry could not come up with the answers. But this is a sensible solution to reduce carbon emissions," he told the BBC.