Olympic athletes are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals for their event performances, but this year, green medals may be handed out as well.
According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) and UNEP are working together to increase green awareness at the Vancouver Games.
UNEP and VANOC have spent three years developing ways to make the most environmentally-friendly Olympics in history. The 2014 Olympics also will involve UNEP as Sochi organizers plan to partner with the organization in preparation for the Winter Games.
Olympic organizers have launched several green goals, including minimizing the Games' carbon footprint, installing low-flow toilets that use rainwater for flushing and using green construction for the Olympic venues.
Vancouver's performance will be reviewed by UNEP in an Environmental Assessment Report, which will be published later this year.
