The Santiago 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games will not only become the greatest sporting spectacle of the last decades in the country, but also a milestone in terms of sustainability, with the implementation of a series of measures aimed at becoming the first carbon neutral mega event in Chile.
An example of this is that the almost 4,200 athletes who attended the opening ceremony traveled on line 6 of the Santiago Metro, completing a 10-kilometer route between the Pan American Village and the National Stadium.
"From the planning stage, the goal was established as the realization of a first level Games, and it is important to understand that this first level today is closely linked to environmental respect and to think of an event in a sustainable and sustainable way," explained the director of the Santiago 2023 Corporation, Harold Mayne-Nicholls.
The ombudsman further specified that the so-called "Legacy and Sustainability Strategy" is composed of two pillars: the development of sustainable mega sporting events and the reporting of the performance of these events. "These encompass 6 action fronts and more than 20 initiatives closely linked to the Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, seeking to generate a positive impact on the local community and the environment," he added.
With respect to the environmental management of the Games, all venues will have integrated waste management, establishing goals of 80% recycling of the total waste generated throughout the competition.
In terms of water and energy efficiency, the construction of the equestrian tracks will save 40% in water compared to a traditional track of similar characteristics, while 100% of the energy from the electricity grid will be certified as renewable through I-REC Certificates. Meanwhile, connectivity and clean transportation include the promotion of electromobility with electric cars for internal logistics and the construction of 40 inclusive bus stops.
In the case of the circular economy, alliances were established with sponsors who will recycle soft plastics in exchange for cleaning supplies, a highly relevant measure considering that more than 9,000 athletes are expected to participate in the Pan American Village alone.
"The environmental legacy that Santiago 2023 will leave in our country is important. But so is the fact that the standard will be raised and that the evaluations generated here will be useful for future considerations at the national level, as well as serving as data for future international competitions," emphasized the Minister of Sport, Jaime Pizarro.
During a press conference organized together with Santiago 2023, the executive director of Imagen de Chile, Rossana Dresdner, emphasized that this sporting event is of great importance, not only in terms of image projection, but also because it is consistent with the axes with which Chile seeks to position itself before the world. "These games are based on pillars that reflect who we are as a country and what we want to show the world: sustainability, which in this event is expressed in notable elements such as carbon neutrality; diversity, through the inclusion of all and the free participation of minors and seniors. These games demonstrate that sport is a space for sharing, participating and building together", he added.
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