London 2012 Games set to miss green targets

The best laid plans: new turf is put down in the Olympic Stadium. Photograph: ODA

The Olympic Delivery Authority has reneged on a green promise to produce 20 per cent of the Olympic Park’s post-Games energy from renewable sources.

According to the organisers, meeting the 20 per cent target was made more difficult by the decision to axe the Olympic Park wind turbine and other renewable alternatives would not deliver value for money.

The new target for renewable energy has been lowered to approximately 9 per cent, which will be delivered by installing solar panels on the Media Centre.

London assembly Green party member Darren Johnson commented: “This really is a miserable result. I know the organisers have had some difficulties but quite frankly this should never have been allowed to happen. It makes a mockery of the idea of a green Olympics.”

Meanwhile, air pollution along the Olympic Route Network will exceed European legal limits, opening up the Games to a £300m fine.

Modelling done for the Olympic Delivery Agency (ODA) shows that air pollution will exceed European legal limits even if the ODA and Mayor achieve a 30 per cent reduction in normal traffic during the games in order to compensate for the increase in traffic due to the spectators.

Darren Johnson AM said: “It breaks the Olympic contract in which London pledged to comply with all the environmental legislation. Going over the European legal limit for particulate pollution in 2012 would also land us immediately in court, with the possibility of a £300m fine.”

Transport Minister Norman Baker is reported to have warned that it would be “impossible” for capital to continue as normal while accommodating the influx of visitors for the Games.

Related: Jeremy Hunt admits London 2012 legacy targets will be scrapped