Low-carbon flame for 2012 Olympics

A low-carbon Olympic flame will light up the 2012 Games provided scientists can find a way to make it burn up bright enough.

The low-emission flame is part of a raft of green measures by London 2012 organisers aimed at making the sporting event the greenest games ever.

They hope it will be a sustainability showcase and have set out their green plans, which tackle issues such as climate change, waste, biodiversity, inclusion to try and promote attitude change to green issues and healthy living.

The problem with trying to cut the carbon footprint of the iconic Olympic flame is that a clean carbon-neutral flame is difficult to see and so the London Organising Committee and EDF Energy have begun the hunt to find a suitable biofuel for the flame which is currently set to stand to the north outside the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London.

David Stubbs, the London Organising Committee's Head of Sustainability, said: "The Olympic flame is potentially quite an energy consumer. We are looking at alternative fuels to help reduce the impact of that flame. It is early days yet. We do not know what fuel to use."

Gareth Wynn, of EDF Energy, said that the low-carbon flame "will definitely happen".

He said: "We are looking for something that has the right look and feel. There is a balance to be struck because a really clean flame can be difficult to see. We have to find a balance so that it provides the right fuel but can be seen."

One possible answer is a biogas, perhaps methane, using an organic material such as tree cuttings, he suggested.

Mr Wynn said: "I cannot tell you yet what the solution is going to be and what the gas is but we are going to find it. We have made a commitment to find it. The flame is such an iconic image that we have to get it right."

The sustainability plans - Towards A One Planet 2012 - outline London 2012 green aims through the preparation, construction, staging and legacy of the Games.