The organizing committee of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games has released its Sustainability Management Plan, with the following mission statement:

“To deliver excellent Games, with memorable celebrations, that will enhance the global image of Brazil and promote sustainable social and urban transformations through sport, contributing to the growth of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.”

Carlos Nuzman, president of Rio 2016 Olympics, explained, “Our goal is to integrate sustainability into all dimensions of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics Games and thus create a legacy for all society.”

The plan examines ways to reduce the environmental footprint of the Games through transportation and logistics, sustainable construction and urban improvements, environmental conservation and clean-up, and waste management. It also seeks to raise awareness and involvement, offer universal accessibility, and promote diversity and inclusion. Lastly, the committee pledges to be transparent in their management of the Games from the planning stages through clean-up.

The committee has a technical cooperation agreement with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

UNEP’s Brazilian representative, Denise Hamú, said, “An event the size of the Olympic Games is an excellent opportunity to implement and disseminate sustainable practices. This is the first time that the Olympics will be organized in South America, a crucial region for biodiversity conservation that has a vocation for developing low-carbon economies.”

The 2012 London Olympics were dubbed the “most sustainable ever” in pre-Games marketing, despite widespread criticism of their sponsors’ negative social and environmental records. Some of the sponsors included BP, Rio Tinto, Dow Chemical and McDonald’s.

Time will tell if the 2016 Olympics will break ties with such lucrative sponsorship deals in the name of sustainability.

This article appears courtesy of Ecorazzi

Ecorazzi covers news and gossip on celebrities and notables in support of the environment and humanitarian causes. You can follow us on Twitterand Facebook.

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Get ready for Rio+20 by dressing in these picks from some of Brazil’s top eco-designers.

As Rio+20 – the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development – kicks off this week, thousands of game changers in the sustainability world will flock to Brazil. We do hope that good things come out of it. The one thing we know for sure is that we want to look the part while discussing how to create the future we all want. What better way to do that than by wearing these picks from some of Brazil’s foremost eco-designers.

Osklen Calca Fem Colour Shine Casual Jeans
These light blue jeans will look great with everything this summer. Pair them with bright colors fun a fun summery vibe or add a flowy white top for a more toned-down look. Oskar Metsavaht, designer of Osklen is one of the most influential voices of Brazilian design and a pioneer of the country’s new luxury movement, using the most innovative high-tech eco-fabrics in his collections. As a long-term environmental thinker, Metsavaht is also the founder of the non-profit e-Institute, dedicated to raising awareness for sustainable human development.
Approx. $194, Osklen

Thin Coconut Bangles by Wild Berry
Handmade by artisans in Brazil, from scrap materials generated in the processing of juices from fruits in the Amazon, these carved coconut bangles are a great addition to your summer wardrobe. Wear them to the beach with a colorful bikini or pair them with a formal dress for one of those summer parties.
$7.99 for a set of three, Wild Berry

Bikini by G Dias Swim
We can’t talk about Brazil and not include a bikini, can we? Local girls seems to live in them and the country does have a high rate of swimsuit models per capita. It seems only fitting that one of them – Gabriela Dias has created her own line, which celebrates the female figure and has both bikinis and one-pieces in vibrant colors with unexpected details. Dias is committed to ecological and social responsibility, and carefully hand-selects all fabrics, and all suits are handmade in Brazil by skilled local artisans in certified facilities.
The Perfect Cup & The Low Riser, G Dias Swim

Osklen Psychedelic Backpack
The backpack is hotter than ever, and what better carry-all to bring with you when exploring all that Rio has to offer (besides high-level UN-discussions). Designed by Oskar Metsavaht of Osklen, this one has a practical, utilitarian shape and a colorful psychedelic pattern that is sure to turn heads.
Approx. $487, Osklen

Melissa + Campana Papel Flats
This latest collaboration between the Campana Brothers and Melissa has double Brazilian appeal as both the famous designer duo and the shoe brand hail from there. The model is inspired by the Campana brothers’ paper creations (“papel” means paper). The bronzy color works with almost everything and looks really great against tan summer skin. Melissa shoes are sustainably crafted in Brazil from MELFLEX, a technologically advanced injected thermoplastic that easily molds to feet for the most comfortable fit around, and they’re totally hypoallergenic, water-resistant and recyclable.
$88, Kaight

Ecotece Butterfly T-shirt
This hand-embroidered T-shirt is made from 50% recycled PET and 50% cotton and features a butterfly patchwork print that is unique for each tee. The Ecotece institute was founded by São Paulo-based journalist Ana Candida Zanesco in an effort to inspire people to dress more consciously. The butterfly represents transformation, the cycles of life and the constant new beginnings. How fitting for a summit on sustainable development.
$47, Ecotece

Ecotece Paste Retece Necklace
Also by Ecotece, this colorful necklace would look great worn to the beach along with a bikini. But, of course, you could also use it to spice of a simple outfit. Made from scrap materials by female artisans who are part of Projecto Retece, a cooperative that provides a safe, sustainable source of income for these women. 100% of proceeds from the sale of this piece goes toward supporting Projecto Retece.
$21, Ecotece

Escama Studio Chica Rosa Pop Top Mini Clutch
This fun mini clutch now comes in a range of new colors, including a delicious bright orange. It’s hand crocheted with over 200 post-consumer recycled pop tops and each piece comes with a hang tag bearing the signature of the person who made it (you can also read more about them on the website). If you would like to send a thank you note, click the email icon and they will translate your message into Portuguese and forward it on. The artists work in co-ops outside of Brasília, Brazil. which offers women and men in the community a means to earn a living wage through handicrafts and provide a setting where friends are made and self-esteem is regained.
$46, Escama Studio

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Debate is raging over Rio De Janeiro’s proposed eco-barriers designed, according to officials, to protect its endangered Atlantic coast forest.

There’s no question that the Atlantic forest, which has over 20,000 plant species, 950 bird species and more than two dozen Critically Endangered vertebrate species, needs protecting. More than 90 percent of the forest has already disappeared over the past hundred years – initially due to coffee and sugarcane plantations and later, to urbanization.

But the building of the huge concrete walls (up to 10 feet in some places) as “eco-barriers'” to contain urban sprawl is seen by critics  not as a means of protecting the forest but a strategy for walling in and containing the city’s favelas (slums).

The wall critics argue that the eco-barriers are a cover for cleaning up the city in preparation for the World Cup in 2014 and the possibility of the city hosting the Olympics in 2016.

Officials, however, say that’s simply not the case. What remains of Brazil’s Atlantic forest needs to be protected and eco-barriers appear to be the best and easiest way to do this.

Construction of the controversial concrete walls began in March, but so far only a few hundred yards have been completed.

Meanwhile, at least one city neighbourhood, the Rocinha favela, has come up with an alternative solution that both residents and local officials are happy with. Instead of a high concrete wall, Rocinha’s eco-barrier will take the form of a park, complete with nature paths and community space.

It remains to be seen whether this alternative solution could also be created at the other 12 designated locations that the local officials have determine require barriers. After all, it sounds like a much more environmentally friendly way to deal with protecting the forest.

Further reading about this fascinating debate can be found at the Christian Science Monitor‘s bright green blog.

Image: Rocinha aerial view courtesy skyscrapercity

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