“This is more than goal-setting - this is game-changing.” - USGBC

Conclusion

The CopaVerde Plan for Brazil, first written on January 1, 2009, is now one year old and although far from perfect it continues to serve as a blueprint of how to execute, what we believe, could be one of the greatest infrastructure feats and economic transformations of our time.

The opportunity for Brazilians to host such important sporting events within a two-year window is historic.  It will bring much excitement and pride to the country, as well as significant uncertainty and anxiety.  Brazilians have the opportunity to look beyond past political mismanagement, corruption, violence, and infrastructure blunders (as recently as the 2007 Pan-American Games in Rio) and create a better future for themselves. We have the opportunity to set a new course as innovators and leaders of sustainability, responsibility and wellbeing.

These Green Games can be Brazil’s great gift to itself, and, to the world.  Imagine “The Beautiful Game” being played in LEED certified EcoArenas, and, two years later, having the best athletes on the planet coming to the most beautiful city in the world, Rio de Janeiro, to compete in the most advanced, efficient, and eco-friendly sporting facilities ever built.  This would set the stage for what could be the greatest Games of all time, serving also as the most important tribute ever made to our planet.  This can, and we hope will, become a competition “where everyone wins.”

We thank you for your support and ask that you share this plan with the people you care about and those who can help make CopaVerde become a reality.

Sincerely,

Ian McKee               Vicente de Castro Mello

LEED AP                    Architect

* The CopaVerde Plan belongs to no political party and it has no rightful owner.  It belongs to all who choose to embrace it.

1 FIFA’s LOC (Local Organizing Committee) embraced part of the CopaVerde Plan on August 4th, 2009.  Stadium director for the LOC in Brazil, Carlos de la Corte, recommended basic LEED Certification in a letter to all architects involved in stadium projects for the 2014 World Cup.  We celebrate this victory and commend FIFA’s leadership in this initiative.

2 The Rio 2016 Olympic bid included LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification for the most important parts of the infrastructure that will be built for the event.  This is another great victory for Brazil and the CopaVerde movement.  Involved in this project was Brazil’s Green Building Council: www.gbcbrasil.org.br

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