As much as 2,022 of acres of trees will be planted in and around the city of Birmingham as the Second City looks to make the 2022 Commonwealth Games carbon neutral.

In a landmark campaign, mini-forests will grow around the city and the region and each will be linked to one of the nations and territories competing at the Games. Each mini-forest will also feature native species and will aim to help encourage locals and visitors to connect with nature.

Its main aim is to reduce carbon wherever possible and in turn, make it difficult for visitors to attend the games via car, instead encourage them to use public transport.

The plan also looks to use cleaner, more efficient generators, electric bus and car fleets as well as minimizing the usage of single-use plastic water bottles. These are crucial steps to make in the effort to accelerate progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action).

The campaign was launched to mark 500 days until the launch of the Commonwealth Games in 2022 where athletes from these countries will come together to take part in a range of sporting competitions. If this sustainability pledge is successful, this will be the first time the games are carbon neutral.

Speaking to The Guardian, Dame Louise Martin hailed the significance of this pledge, encouraging the Games to leave behind a legacy for the future. She said, “It reinforces our commitment to ensure that the Games leaves a positive social and environmental legacy for generations to come.”

Following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, sporting stadia has mostly been empty due to safety concerns, however, with normality expected to resume, Birmingham should be expecting high numbers of visitors. There is also the hope that this will create many new jobs during the event as well as encourage economic growth for local businesses. However, if the Games are disrupted, Birmingham city council is determined that a legacy is still built and carried on, emphasising a real commitment to tackling climate change.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games is expected to be the biggest in its history. As many as 4,500 athletes will travel to the Games next year with more than 280 sessions, 19 sports and 283 medal events.

This will be the third time England will be hosting the Commonwealth Games, having previously hosted it in 1934 in London and Manchester in 2002. The Games will take place between 28^th  July and 8^th August.