Sustainability is a core theme of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. To this end, the Government of Canada is offsetting an estimated 7,600 tonnes of emissions that are expected to be created by its activities in support of the 2010 Olympic Games.

This includes the activities of approximately thousands of employees involved in providing essential federal services and security, including items such as Games-time air travel, Games-time accommodation and Games-time operations, as well as the emissions from the Torch Relay. The offsetting is estimated to cost $150,000.

Carbon offsets are verified greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions from projects. They allow purchasers to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions produced from their businesses and everyday activities - their "carbon footprint" - by reducing greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere in the economy, thus "offsetting" the purchaser's emissions. Examples of investments could include biomass gasification systems for renewable heat and power production, electricity production from hydrogen fuel cells, high-efficiency commercial building heating systems or reduced carbon-footprint silviculture.

After the games, offsets will be calculated by using a scientifically-based quantification methodology. Our intent is to purchase domestic offsets consistent with the framework being developed for Canada's Offset System for Greenhouse Gases.  

In offsetting emissions associated with Government of Canada participation in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, only real, incremental, quantified, verified and unique domestic reductions of greenhouse gas emissions will be considered. Our methodology will follow that of the VANOC consortium for calculating the carbon footprint, and we will use Canada's Offset System criteria as the basis for ensuring our offsets meet the highest standard.

The Government of Canada has worked with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and other Games partners to help make these the most sustainable Games to date. Our actions have helped: 

• minimize the environmental impact of Games venues through the environmental assessment process;
• facilitate the incorporation of green building design into Games venues and facilities, including the athletes' villages; 
• increase public awareness of sustainability issues;
• reduce the environmental footprint of Government of Canada activities and services for the Games, including the federal carbon footprint