A special tram will take Usain Bolt and all other stars to and from the stadium in a swift and safe ride. The new local means of transportation represents a contribution to the first carbon-neutral Weltklasse Zürich in 2009.
„Inspired and supported by our long-time partner Erdgas, Weltklasse Zürich has taken a long-term and strategic decision to become carbon-neutral as of this year. As the biggest one-day sports event in Switzerland, we are assuming a leading role in organizing sustainable events", Christoph Joho, Head of Marketing of the prestigious athletics meeting, explained.
The project includes a set of measures and activities: The stars, recognizing their role model function, will contribute to our goal by using the special tram shuttle service from the Mövenpick Hotel Zurich-Airport in Glattbrugg to the Letzigrund Stadium. Stadium ticket holders will be able to travel to and from Weltklasse Zurich using the public transport network of the entire canton of Zurich free of charge.
Weltklasse Zürich - Striving for Sustainability in and around the Stadium
We have initiated long-term steps for sustainability, and will maintain and further develop them in the future. Comprehensive environmental studies carried out in 2008 and 2009 have been the basis for our project. Various aspects related to the meeting, such as infrastructure, transport, food, waste, paper consumption, as well as catering were thoroughly examined by experts.
As of 2007, the entire power consumption in the Letzigrund Stadium was generated by solar energy. Weltklasse Zürich has accepted a sevenfold rise in energy cost in order to help protect the environment. CO2 emissions related to the meeting will be reduced by recycling all materials and by using returnable packaging.
Teaming Up with Partners
All activities of the project involve the partners of Weltklasse Zürich. Migros, for instance, transports its deliveries by bio-fuelled trucks.
In addition, a sustainability fund has been established in co-operation with Erdgas for CO2 emissions that cannot be reduced. In 2009, all CO2-emissions related to the meeting will be compensated by supporting a biogas project in Thailand. The project is Gold Standard-certified (a certification scheme for high-level climate protection projects), and will also be supported by Erdgas.
Optimizing Measures in 2010
The 2009 edition of the meeting marks the beginning of a comprehensive, long-term Weltklasse Zürich commitment for sustainability. Over the course of the next year, existing procedures and products will be examined with regard to their energy efficiency and environmental impact. 'Power eaters' will be eliminated and sustainable materials and devices will be introduced. In addition, the evaluation of suppliers will include environmental aspects.
