The Interscetions between economy, environment and loacality: the London 2012 Olympic and paralympic games

Abstract

Despite a growing body of literature concerned with the sustainability of sports mega-events, there is relatively little analysis examining environmental sustainability commitments at the Olympic Games, and the environmental impact of the Olympics on the host communities. Research to date has lacked an explicit theoretical underpinning and in particular, the use of theoretical perspectives from the sociology of the environment literature to analyse the intersections between the economy, the environment and locality at the Olympic Games, and the environmental impact of the Games on the host communities. This thesis develops a theoretical framework that combines elements of a „Critical/Marxist‟ perspective, Næss‟ philosophical conceptualisation of „shallow‟ and „deep‟ ecology, and Ecological Modernisation Theory (EMT) in order to better understand the relationship between the environment, sustainability and the Olympic Games. Adopting a three-phase qualitative approach which utilises interviews, focus groups and an analysis of secondary sources, the thesis investigates three main topic areas pertaining to environmental sustainability and the Olympics: the International Olympic Committee‟s (IOC) recent commitment to the environment; local governmental perceptions of the environmental impact of the London Games; and local residents‟ and businesses‟ perceptions of the environmental impact of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The research critically assesses the „shallow‟ ecology/light green and EMT perspective historically adopted by Olympic Games organisers and the power relations that have helped to shape this. Within the context of London 2012 there was a perceived shift in priorities as the Games drew closer with the prioritisation of economic concerns and corporate interests over those of local people. Most notably, the ambiguity of „sustainability‟ was identified as a key factor which influenced local perceptions of the environmental impact of the Games. This original theoretically and empirically informed study makes a contribution to the
growing body of research on sustainability and the Games, and to our understanding of the environmental impact of the Olympics on host communities.