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

PART 1: Infrastructure: Build EcoArenas, Airports, Hotels, Hospitals and Public Transportation Systems of the Future

Objectives:  Coordinating the largest, Green Building project to date.  Gaining international credibility through environmental project certification, or “LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification,” under the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), the most reputable international certification organization in the world today.  Keeping politicians, architects, engineers, and builders accountable and avoiding disingenuous efforts to adopt environmentally beneficial practices, also known as “Green Wash.”

LEED certification must be applied to all private and public projects to be utilized during the upcoming world sporting events:

1. 1)Stadiums and sports facilities to become EcoArenas: All new and/or renovated stadiums and sports facilities should incorporate the latest Green Building design techniques and technologies that fit within reasonable budget.  The LEED certified EcoArenas can become laboratories for sustainability and together can represent the most advanced, eco-friendly portfolio of multi-purpose arenas on the planet.  These EcoArenas would serve as the “poster-children” model of sustainability of the Green Games.  The LEED certified Maracanã stadium and supporting Olympic sport facilities in Rio along with the LEED certified Olympic village would also become the showcase for the first, truly “Green” Olympic Games.
   

2. 2)Airports: Renovations and expansions throughout the country’s airports are needed to address Brazil’s growing economy and the additional influx of tourists related to these events.  Green building practices can lead to significant long-term environmental benefits, lower maintenance costs and educate the traveling public of the benefits of Green design and construction.
   

3. 3)Hotels: LEED certification for hotels seeking to host foreign sporting delegations and dignitaries is required.
   

4. 4)Hospitals: New and/or renovated LEED Certified “Green” hospitals can significantly improve quality of care by limiting hospital related sicknesses and by allowing patients to recover more quickly.
   

5. 5)Public Transportation: Fast, clean and efficient public transportation (trains, subways and buses) between city population centers, airports, and the city’s stadiums are critical to reducing emissions related to stadium events, business travel, tourism and basic mobility.  Limiting fossil fuel based transportation is a critical component in the creation of less carbon intensive cities.
   

Financing: Most of the infrastructure projects in Brazil (public and private) will be financed in part by The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES). To make investment in Green building productive and profitable it is necessary that the financing terms be tied to the quality of the execution of the project: design, construction & maintenance.  We believe, therefore, that better terms, or “Green Bonuses,” should be applied to the financing of each project based on the level of LEED certification achieved: Basic, Silver, Gold or Platinum.  The higher the level of LEED certification obtained the greater the adjustment on the interest rate of the loan.  This would give the owner and the design and construction teams the incentive to pursue and invest in the sustainability of the project as the return on investment (ROI) can be achieved far sooner through the financing terms than from the typical, operational ROI.  The ROI of an investment of 5-6% of the cost of construction could therefore be returned by the time of the actual commencement of the games (2-5 years), instead of the traditional 5-10 years.  Each project of course is different, but the Brazilian Government needs to be the largest investor in sustainability, to create the markets for better design, materials, construction and recycling (waste) practices.

Execution: It is critical that a sustainability design team be hired by each Project Owner to work with architects, contractors and material suppliers as early in the process as possible.   Teamwork and involvement by all of the parties throughout the life of a project is not customary in traditional building, but it is a critical element of successful sustainable design & construction and a must for projects seeking LEED certification.  This will be an immense challenge for all parties involved, but it is a necessary step, and one which will launch a new era of Brazilian architecture and construction.

Message: The CopaVerde Plan proposes that these projects be remodeled and/or re-designed to convey a consistent message to both the foreign and domestic tourist; i.e. that the preservation of the environment and healthy living is tied to efficient and sustainable building, construction and transportation.  This is at the center of the new Brazilian way of life.

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