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2012: Year of the 'green games'By CNN's Jim Boulden  London is promising to regenerate a derelict and polluted area. RELATEDQUICKVOTEYOUR E-MAIL ALERTSLONDON, England (CNN) -- London is already clearing the derelict sites where some of the Olympic venues would be built if it gets the 2012 games. The deprivation levels in terms of employment, health care and education are significant. So, it is a forgotten part of London. London is promising to regenerate a polluted part of the city where unemployment is higher than in many parts of Europe. The area would be turned into a 200 hectare park -- and some of the venues will be built even if London loses. If you just look at the Olympics as two weeks, you can never make that sustainable in that little bubble. David Stubbs, London 2012 Environment Manager said: "But it's not about two weeks. We are bidding now, seven years before the games have to happen. It is what this site will be like 20 to 30 years down the road." The International Olympic Committee says that the games these days must not only not damage the environment, but must actually improve the environment of the city. Previous winter games have been criticized for the cutting down of trees, and summer games for too many new roads, not enough sustainable public transportation and for venues that damage the local ecosystem. Environmental Consultant Roger Levett said: "The amount of environmental impact it could have is enormous. On the other hand, it can also have a very positive effect. "And one of the things that most interests me is because its such a prestigious event, because everyone gets so excited by it, its a wonderful opportunity to shift the way we do things in the longer term, and not just for the fortnight that it actually runs." With that in mind, Paris will convert to low-emission buses and will also build solar-powered stadiums. The Madrid games would use only renewable energy, and London says its games will create zero waste, by recycling everything. That could include having the new venues built using the rubble of the buildings torn down to make way for the games. Leslie Carnall, of Bywaters Recycling said: "All that waste that comes from demolition sites can be returned, sorted, and then go back as hard-core and used for the basis, the foundation, for the new build." To help its bid, London got a number of environmental groups to sign up to its plan. Simon Lewis, of the WWF said: "We'd been very concerned right from the off to make sure that we or other NGOs weren't used as a kind of green wash or green front for this bid. But there has been none of that. We have been fully involved from the beginning." Environmentalists promise to make sure London fulfills its promises -- especially if it loses. And to make sure the games don't add to London's pollution. Levett said: "We have to have really good incentives to have people come here from all over Europe by train, not just by air. I would be looking for a commitment of not having a net increase in air travel as a result of the games." With tens of thousands of people descending on a city for a short period of time, the Olympics will have an impact on one city's environment. And with the help of companies that specialize in sustainability, the 2012 games might become known as the "green" games. 
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