Olympics are organized by the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC), city of Sochi as well as by the Russian (Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee and SC Olimpstroy) and foreign Organizers of the Games (IOC, International Paralympic Committee (IPC)).
Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee
Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee is an autonomous non-commercial organization founded by ROC, Russian federation and the city of Sochi, with the purpose to organize and hold the Games in keeping with the Olympic Charter and with the agreement concluded by the IOC with the ROC and with the city of Sochi for delivering the Games (Agreement).
Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee regarding sustainable development exercises the following main functions:
Thus, Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee occupies central position in the process of preparation and delivery of the Olympics. Further, it is also a catalyst for solutions aimed at achieving the best results in the area of sustainable development and environmental protection within the framework of Sochi 2014 Project.
Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee mission is to pool the efforts of ROC, RPC, city of Sochi, Russian and foreign organizers of the Games as well as parties concerned, including the public, non-governmental public organizations (NGOs) and authorities with the purpose to efficiently integrate sustainable development principles into all aspects of preparation and delivery of the Games, to make the best arrangements for environmental component in preparation for the Games and in the formation of positive legacy of the Winter Games of 2014.
SC "Olimpstroy"
Purpose of SC «Olimpstroy» is to exercise administrative and other functions related to engineering investigations in construction, to design, construction and reconstruction, usage and maintenance of facilities required for delivery of the Games as well as for development of Sochi as an Alpine climatic resort.
To this effect SC «Olimpstroy», in keeping with the Program for construction of Olympic facilities and development of Sochi as Alpine climatic resort, with requirements of IOC and IPC to Olympic venues, organizes works and makes other arrangements to build these at its own expense and/or at the expense of other investors. In 2008 Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee and SC «Olimpstroy»«concluded the Agreement on the Procedures (order) of interactions wherein they have stated that their systemically organized, operative and constructive interaction has an important role in timely preparation of Sochi for the Games.
Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee and SC «Olimpstroy» in the course of Sochi 2014 Project are employing the following forms of interactions in the areas of joint activities:
In this way, efficient interaction between Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee and SC «Olimpstroy», working «hand in hand» to settle issues pertinent to advancing environmentally efficient means and methods into all aspects of Games preparations and, first of all, into development of sports venues and infrastructure, is an indispensable tool for the most efficient implementation of the goals set at the bidding phase for Sochi development in harmony with nature. Acting as an organic whole, Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee and SC «Olimpstroy» will be able to efficiently realize their joint potential at the phase of preparation of the Games.
ROC
ROC is the All-Russian union of physical training and sport associations, citizens of the Russian Federation and Russian companies. It is an independent, voluntary, non-governmental, self-managed, non-commercial association active in the areas of physical culture, health and sport activities recognized by the IOC. ROC is the most important partner of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee in promotion the values of sustainable development that are foundational to the Olympic movement in Russia, as well as in the enhancement of environmental awareness and responsibilities among citizens, together with fostering national ecological culture via sport and on the example of Winter Games 2014.
RPC
RPC is the All-Russian public organization representing athletes with disabilities at the level of Paralympic standards, members of which are Russian public associations for physical training and sport, other Russian public associations and citizens of the Russian Federation. RPC is an independent, voluntary, non-governmental, self-governed, non-commercial association active in the areas of physical culture, health and sport activities recognized by the IPC.
Joint performance of Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee and RPC shall serve positive changes in the Russian society: every possible development and strengthening of Paralympic movement in Russia together with ensuring social integration of persons with disability.
City of Sochi
City of Sochi together with the ROC and the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, in accordance with the Contract with IOC have agreed to comply with undertaken commitments and to act towards organizing and holding the Games using such means and methods that ensure the best opportunities for realization of sustainable development principles, advancement of ecological responsibilities and preservation of environment.
Arrangements required for preparation of the Games in Sochi are overseen by local authorities.
In keeping with generally accepted practices, IOC has identified the following aspects that are to be planned by the city of Sochi: licensing activities and legislative regulation, cleanliness of organizer city and Olympic venues, garbage collection, appearance, permanent and temporary infrastructure, visitor services, security and public safety, workforce management, emergency aid services, parking and transport services.
Thus, the city of Sochi and Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee are the closest partners in adequate compliance with environmental commitments of the Sochi 2014 Project, efficient Integration of sustainable development principles Into the process of preparation and delivery of the Games as well as in massive promotion of environmental values and knowledge among city residents and citizens of Russia whose attention Is riveted to transformations of scale at the resort favored by many.
IOC and IPC
Being the owners of the Olympic and Paralympic Games while formulating the standards and requirements to implementation thereof, controlling and coordinating all aspects of activities involved in organization and delivery of the Games IOC and IPC are the most important managing partners of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee.
IOC and IPC demanding, on the one hand that sustainable development principles be thoroughly complied with during the preparation and delivery of the Games, on the other hand, are the vehicles for advanced world experience in the field of environmentally efficient organization of global sports competitions, preparation of which is accompanied by intensive development of regional scale.
Thanks to that, Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee has the opportunity to obtain from IOC and IPC the best of earlier used solutions, ways and approaches for the promotion of sustainable development concept in all aspects of preparation and delivery of the Games.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russian Federation is the main partner of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee on behalf of Federal authorities in integrating sustainable development principles into all aspects of preparation of the Games. In particular, it ensures coordination of activities of executive authorities and organizations participating in implementation of arrangements stipulated by Program 1485.
Considerable contribution and assistance in implementation of projects related to construction of Olympic venues are provided by Russian and foreign sponsors and investors.
Keeping in line with recommendations of Agenda XXI, Organizers of the Games are striving to submit required information to parties concerned on issues related to preparation for the Games. For this purpose, all round meetings and various events with participation of public, NGOs, mass media and representatives of authorities are held. Active cooperation of Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee with Administration of Krasnodar Region and the City of Sochi administration makes it possible to maintain information-and-educative activities aimed at stakeholders in the Region.
In the process of preparation for the Winter Games of 2014 Organizers of the Games maintain communication with all stakeholders — bodies of authority and local self-government, representatives of public organizations, residents of Sochi.
Bilateral dialogue with stakeholders together with rallying of topmost class professionals and specialists around the Sochi 2014Project make it possible to timely discover and efficiently resolve topical problems related to preparation and delivery of the Games.
In the process of realization of arrangements in the framework of preparations for the Olympics, Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee actively cooperates with federal bodies of executive authority:
Mechanisms of interactions between participants in Games preparations
At present, efficient mechanisms have been created for interactions among all participants in the preparation and delivery of the Winter Games of 2014.
In order to provide comprehensive solutions for issues related to ecological support for construction of Olympic venues and development of Sochi as Alpine climatic resort, several working bodies have been established within the Council at the President of the Russian Federation on development of physical training and sport, sport of highest achievements, preparation and delivery of the Games in Sochi, and within the Ministry of Regional Development of Russian Federation and within Ministry of Natural resources and Environment of Russian Federation.
Representatives of all parties concerned, including public, are actively involved in activities of these bodies.
This helps to establish dialogue aimed at raising awareness and creating conditions for introducing sustainable development principles into the process of preparation and delivery of the Winter Games of 2014.
Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee assigns a special role to shared experience and sustains continuous communication with active Organizing Committees of other Olympics (Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012) thus allowing for timely detection of problem areas and improvement of the system for preparation and delivery of the Games.
Sustainable development management system
SMS will Inject an absolutely new approach Into nature management, and it will be brought Into full agreement with the requirements of ISO 14001 standard.
From 1994, Russia is tending to follow the principles of sustainable development, providing balanced resolution of problems of economic development for the future and preservation of favorable condition of environment together with natural resource potential in order to satisfy vital needs of the population.
Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee bears responsibility for creating SMS aimed at introducing sustainable development principles into all aspects of preparation and delivery of the Games.
Main efforts will be aimed at generalization, transfer, application and dissemination of the most modem standards as well as at using advanced achievements, knowledge and experience.
SMS will be based on the generally recognized methogology «Plan-Do-Check-Act», PDCA, and its mission is to accumulate in-depth experience and front-edge accomplishments. This will make it possible to transfer all participants in preparation and delivery of the Games, to a new quality level by following the principle "adopt the best, do better, transfer the best".
Herewith, Olympic Games Impact Study (OGI) is an efficient tool enabling organizers and stakeholders to identify possible risks and to get full idea of impacts upon the region.
Such study is performed on a series of indicators laid down by the IOC in special Technical Guidelines. Systematic data collection on indicators will make it possible to control actual impacts of processes involved in preparation and delivery of the Games. This should enable the realization of timely and necessary arrangements to reduce negative impacts and to enhance positive perspectives of Games legacy at the early stage.
The role of SMS is to introduce absolutely new approach into nature management.
SMS will touch upon the period of preparations for the Games, and it will be fully unwound during the Games and transfer of Games legacy.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Olympic movement — Agenda XXI, by the end of 2012 SMS, as well as activities of maximum possible number of organizations involved in preparation and delivery of the Games will be brought into full compliance with requirements of IS014001 standard. Also, applicable components of regulation761/2001 EMAS will be introduced.
This will help to improve considerably the planning and activities regarding environmental support of the Games, as well as to raise efficiency of ecological risk management.
Comprehensive environmental monitoring
SMS will rely upon the data from the comprehensive environmental monitoring system which will be organized In order to provide comprehensive solutions for the issues related to environmental support at the stage of planning, construction and maintenance of Olympic facilities, as well as for the development of Sochi as Alpine climatic resort.
In the framework of comprehensive environmental monitoring involving ground-based and satellite sighting, will be performed the stability control, as well as retrospective analysis of dynamic stability of ecosystems for the following components of natural environment:
Due to the fact that construction of Olympic venues and infrastructure is planned within the boundaries of SPNA, monitoring will furnish «reference point» and will make it possible to asses background parameters In order to make comparison with possible subsequent changes.
Collected information will be used for decision making and will become the basis for reports on environment and sustainable development.
Partners and sponsorsPartners and sponsors of the Games should not only serve and finance the Games but also become a component of Sochi 2014 brand, clearly understand strategy and vision of the Games, share their high standards.
Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee is engaged in drawing environment and sustainability focused procurement system, including standard model contracts for supply, work, services and usage of Olympic venues, that will be instrumental for Games procurements, as well as the system of procurement itself. These contracts and procedures shall contain mandatory requirements for environmental protection and resource saving.
Regarding construction of Olympic facilities, it is a general requirement that the contractor should have a certificate of environmental management quality standard IS014001.
At the bidding phase more than 450 contracts were concluded with hotel complex organizations. In the following some provisions, pertaining to environmental protection issues, will be revised and specified in earlier contracts.
Reports on environment and sustainable developmentIn keeping with requirements of Guidelines on Reporting in the area of sustainable development for the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), four reports on Sochi 2014 sustainable development will be completed:
Major goal of reports in preparation and during the Olympics is to inform all stakeholders, including general public, about environmental initiatives of Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, planned and fulfilled projects in the area of environmental protection and sustainable development.
These reports are important indicator of Sochi 2014 transparency and accountability on the national and international levels, and the process of delivering these reports is a powerful stimulus to focus attention on this dimension.
Governmental support for the environmental aspect of Games preparations
Building of the whole infrastructure required for delivery of the Games in accordance with the highest quality requirements has been guaranteed by the Government of the Russian Federation Preparations for Winter Games of 2014 are carried out in parallel with massive development of the whole Sochi region.
Government of the Russian Federation has approved the Program for construction of Olympic venues and development of Sochi as Alpine climatic resort (Program 991) and the Program for environmental support of preparation and delivery of the Olympics (Program 1485).
Program 991 envisages construction financing and identifies performers responsible for construction of all Olympic venues and facilities of necessary infrastructure, personifying guarantees of the Russian Federation Government to IOC specifying that all infrastructure needed for the Games infrastructure will be prepared timely and in keeping with the highest quality requirements.
Program 991 also stipulates commitments of the Government of the Russian Federation, regional and municipal administrations regarding development of Sochi as national center for tourism and winter sports.
Further, Program 991 provides for other arrangements directly aimed at achieving goals of the Olympic project regarding sustainable development and preservation of Sochi nature:
Thus, Program 991 is a basic document guaranteeing performance according to commitments made at the bidding phase to introduce environment and sustainability principles Into the bases for the Sochi 2014 project.
Program 1485 provides for arrangements related to developing recommendations and methodologies, design and research activities, information management, preparation and adoption of managerial decisions and creation of infrastructure required for ensuring a most comprehensive and omnifaceted integration of sustainability principles into the process of preparations for the Winter Games 2014.
Activities of executive bodies of authority and organizations taking part in the arrangements stipulated by Program 1485, are coordinated by Ministry of natural resources and environment of Russian Federation.
See: Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation of 29.12.2007 no.991 (rev. of 26.02.2009) «On the program of Olympic facilities construction and development of Sochi as Alpine climatic resort» and Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of 13.10.2008 no.1485-p «On the program of arrangements for environmental support of preparation and delivery of XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games Sochi 2014».
Interaction with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)
Close and fruitful cooperation of Olympics 2014 Organizers with the UNEP is one of mechanisms for introducing an optimal complex of environmental protection arrangements and improving dialogue with stakeholders.
Interaction with the UNEP enables the organizers of the Games to obtain valuable recommendations, enter into cooperation with, and take part in various environmental UNEP programs (in particular, World Program for planting trees «Billion of trees», World Program for dissemination of knowledge about counteracting man-made climate change, Program for advancing environmental protection technologies in the transport sphere and in the sphere of hydrocarbon power sector, etc.).
In 2009 Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee and UNEP which made it possible to formalize joint projects of Sochi 2014 and UNEP as well as to make significant contribution to support for activities of Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee in the sphere of environmental protection.
By analogy with the Olympics of 2008 in Beijing, UNEP is planning to perform environmental assessment for Sochi 2014 two-three years prior to beginning of the Games and right after them. This should enable Sochi 2014 Organizers to consider timely and take into account all UNEP recommendations for practical application