Hangzhou makes history organizing first ever carbon-neutral Asian Games embracing an ambitious environmental agenda powered by green technology from September 23rd to October 8th this year. Through a green action plan Hangzhou is carrying out events in a zero-waste manner that promises low carbon development. This sets Hangzhou apart on the international arena.
The opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in this city was as much about China showcasing itself in a post-Covid era as it was about the much-delayed Games and sports themselves.
The performance, which lasted little over 100 minutes, was an extension of the ubiquitous technology present throughout the city, which advertises itself as ‘paradise on Earth’ and takes great pride in being the greenest in the nation. Let’s look at how the events were completely organized in an eco-friendly manner.
Powering Venues Electrically
Hangzhou has made sure that all 65 venues and offices used for the event will be fueled by clean, green electricity from March to December this year as part of its commitment to making the Asian Games environmentally sustainable, technologically advanced, economical, and ethical.
For the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, the city obtained 621 million kWh of environmentally friendly electricity, transporting it from far-off sources through ultra-high voltage (UHV) grids to light the event's venues.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
To encourage eco-friendly mobility during the games, the State Grid Hangzhou Power Supply Company set up an extensive network of charging stations at venues and strategic locations. Hangzhou embraces electric vehicles as a sustainable transportation choice and has 102 charging stations and 2,024 charging heaps. so that vehicles may park and charge simultaneously!
Innovative Venue Designs
The main arena, also known as the ‘Big Lotus’, has a capacity to host 80,000 people and has a floor area of 229,000 square meters, making it one of the most recognizable. Another is a butterfly-shaped indoor sports and aquatics facility that uses 210 light tubes to disperse natural light and provide an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly environment.
Green Roofs at Sports Facilities
A 24,000 square meter green roof with different plant species can be seen on the Fuyang Water Sports Center. These green roofs improve aesthetics while also reducing stormwater runoff, fixing carbon, releasing oxygen, and insulating against heat.
Zero-Waste Initiative with ‘Low-Carbon Gifts’
Initiations aimed at reducing waste are likewise prioritized in Hangzhou, although it is done a bit differently, you will receive ‘low-carbon gifts’ as a part of the package.
Eco-Friendly Dining Cutlery: Eco-friendly, biodegradable utensils and solar-powered lighting are used in dining areas. In keeping with Hangzhou's green values, cups are constructed from wheat straw.
Reducing Food Waste: Clear your plate programs reduce food waste, and shared bicycles and plastic-free shopping promote environmentally friendly decisions.
Bicycles to Tour the City: Shared bicycles are easily accessible to promote eco-friendly transportation, enabling participants and visitors to enjoy the city sustainably.
Low Carbon Gifts: Residents of the Village can accrue points for going green by walking or taking public transportation. These points can be redeemed for ‘low-carbon gifts’, promoting environmentally beneficial behavior.
Glimpse into the High-Tech Experience
The Games Village offers a tech-focused experience in addition to being a place to stay and here’s a glimpse into the cutting-edge world:
Virtual Cycling: You can take a cycle ride for fun and fitness virtually.
Robotic Tour Guides: Robotic dogs or companions take on the role to guide you around advanced AI on display.
AI Musicians: Listen to the musical performances by robotic pianists.
Pest Control Bots: There are automated machines that take care of mosquitoes and other pests.
Automated Cleaning: Convenient and efficient cleaning solutions for a pristine Games Village.
Reusable Facilities
If you're concerned that all your planning will be for nothing if it is destroyed after the big event, rest assured that Hangzhou has considered this. Only 12 of the 56 venues were recently built. The other 44 made use of recyclable and prefabricated resources. As an illustration, consider how simple it is to disassemble and move the glass walls and spectator stands from the squash court. With the first-ever carbon-free Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the world is expecting more from sustainable sports.
The entire evening was centered around the theme of water as the perpetual feeding element, which was paradoxical given the city's ongoing rain for more than two days. Hangzhou's history was displayed through lights and lasers projected on the stadium floor and on enormous hang-down banner curtains. However, the degree of contingency preparation can be inferred from the fact that a backup location inside the same stadium complex had been prepared, complete with a condensed opening ceremony without some of the more dramatic parts, in case of bad weather.
While every nation, including Afghanistan, Indonesia, and Jordan, was greeted with raucous cheers from the stands during the parade of nations, India's entry was marked by a visible chillness, reflecting the current status of relations between the continental neighbors. This was surprising for a Games that prides itself on being ‘China and Asia having integration of culture’ and ‘Asian people's unity’.