Oct 22, 2015 The Olympic organizing committee in partnership with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) recently launched “Green Passport”; an initiative to promote eco-tourism throughout the state of Rio de Janeiro.
UNEP, in partnership with the Ministries of Environment and Tourism, had initially launched the campaign to promote sustainable tourism in Brazil in 2008.
Green passport, which could be downloaded from the web or through a mobile app, offers suggestion such as local parks, areas of natural beauty and itineraries to experience local cuisine and culture for the summer 2016 Olympic Games.
Speaking during the launch, president of the Rio 2016 organizing Committee, Carlos Arthur Nuzman said he was proud to be identified with the initiative.
“It is a great honour for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games to have this partnership with UNEP, an organ of the United Nations, where in the recent General Assembly a huge emphasis was placed on sustainability. One of the main pillars of the International Olympic Committee nowadays is sustainability, so for us not only is it very important, but it also gives me great pride to be part of the green passport programme, so we can give lessons to tourists,”
Aside from tourism advice, the campaign also offers workshops and online lectures for local companies interested in collaborating.