Environmentalists Support Olympic Bid

The Society for the Environment, the new umbrella organisation for environmental professionals in the UK, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with London 2012, the company bidding to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

SocEnv's Chairman, William Pope, and Chief Executive, Tim Bines, met with London 2012 Chairman, Lord Sebastian Coe, at the Environment Forum, held at Church House, Westminster on 7 March 2005.

The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a partnership between the two organisations that will, among other matters, seek to:

? Promote sustainability through professional environmental advice throughout the Olympic projects

? Work towards the establishment of the highest professional standards drawing on the members of the Constituent Bodies that make up SocEnv

? Promote the concept of a quality environment during and after the Olympic Games.

William Pope said 'the Society for the Environment is delighted to help London 2012 and I pay tribute to the quality of the environmental package in the Bid. We need to ensure that for such a major event the preparation of all aspects of the Games themselves as well as the exciting legacy are as environmentally sustainable as possible. The Society is ready to help the Olympic Bid We wish London 2012 every success.'

Lord Coe said 'from the outset London 2012 has sought to engage with environmental organisations and we are delighted at the positive response we have received. It is really important for us that our environmental and sustainable development plans have been developed in partnership with the top professionals in this field. The support of Society for the Environment through its constituent bodies and their members will help us deliver this to a high standard.'