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To: The Board of the Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games: Please address sustainability concerns
Please review your partnership with BP.
Why is this important?
Glasgow 2014 has touted how sustainable the Games are, yet there are glaring inconsistencies in the way the Games have been organised.[1]
The Commonwealth Games is a showcase for Glasgow. Right from the beginning sustainability has been a key issue for the organisers. Yet they chose to partner up with BP [2].
In recent months Glasgow has been the focus of a high profile campaign by Friends of the Earth Scotland on air pollution [3]. The City has the worst record for air pollution in the UK next to London and the 5th worst in Europe [4].
Part of the Games policy was to introduce low emissions zones around venues. This policy has just been dumped [5].
In the run up to the Games, Glasgow City Council has rolled out charging points around the City for electric cars. 'Sustainable Glasgow has installed new charging sites in the city centre and at sporting venues around the city. In total, the new sites will be able to accommodate 22 cars at a time.
'The council itself has 36 electric vehicles including four Nissan Leaf pool cars and two electric street sweepers. Two of the Nissans have been branded with eye-catching Sustainable Glasgow artwork. ...Electric vehicles help reduce air and noise pollution. Making Glasgow a more sustainable city makes it a more pleasant place to live, which benefits residents, visitors and businesses alike.' [6]
In view of the above, why then has BP been invited - as a partner - to provide fuel for Glasgow 2014 Games vehicles? [7]
Dirty fossil fuel companies like BP need sporting events and other high profile events in order to legitimise their brand. Its the same strategy that tobacco companies used to use. Its called 'Social Licence'. [8]. Tobacco advertising is now outlawed and the writing is on the wall for dirty fossil fuel companies. There is no room in sport for dirty oil. Lets sent this message loud and clear to Glasgow 2014.
1 - http://bit.ly/1sxhwIU
2 - BP GETS SET TO FUEL THE GLASGOW 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
http://bit.ly/VKidnr
3 - Air Pollution: A Silent Killer
http://bit.ly/TSKDKi
4 - Glasgow has highest level of toxic pollution in UK
http://bit.ly/1mIWqHY
5 - Glasgow 2014: Low emission zones promise 'broken'
http://bbc.in/1sxhIYx
6 - Glasgow to offer free charging for electric cars
http://bit.ly/1je1d3j
7 - BP joins sponsors of 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
http://reut.rs/1qjGutZ
8 - Obtaining a social licence to operate – a challenge for the industry
http://bit.ly/1negam1
