Pyeongchang 2018 President Lee Hee-beom has vowed to ensure next year's Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games "enhance the status of South Korea in every aspect" ©Getty Images

Pyeongchang 2018 President Lee Hee-beom has vowed to ensure next year's Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games "enhance the status of South Korea in every aspect" after a sustainability report was published. 

The document claims that Pyeongchang 2018 have put five main sustainability themes into action - low carbon green Olympics, stewardship of nature, good life, proud people with tradition and culture and globalising Pyeongchang: opening to the world.

Finalising legacy plans for all venues, building green transport infrastructure, managing damaged areas and using renewable energy in Games facilities are listed as top priorities in the build-up to the Games.

The report, covering the period from July 1 in 2015 to June 30 last year, also features the establishment of a management system that plans and monitors Pyeongchang 2018's sustainability initiatives.

"The international community has set forth sustainable development as a new paradigm for humanity to face unseen challenges due to climate change and resource depletion, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games is expected to take a leading role in realising sustainability," said Lee.

"We will spare no efforts to enhance the status of South Korea in every aspect, and provide a global venue where global citizens stay connected with passion throughout and beyond the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Games."

Finalising legacy plans at venues has been listed as one of the key priorities in the build-up to the Games ©Getty Images
Finalising legacy plans at venues has been listed as one of the key priorities in the build-up to the Games ©Getty Images

In 2015, organisers compiled a greenhouse gas inventory report which catalogues the sources of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire period of the Games, while a workshop to plan the supply of "green" vehicles also took place.

The following year, a total of 175 youngsters from 44 countries got the chance to experience winter sports and they were also taught about the history and culture of Pyeongchang and the surrounding area.

The Ministry of Education, the Gangwon Municipal Institute for the Study of Nature and the Korea Climate Change Response Research Centre published material on the environment to ensure residents had better understanding of the subject.

"We are very proud of this interim report showing what has been planned and achieved to date," Pyeongchang 2018 director general of environment Taechul Rhyu said.

"Pyeongchang 2018 is very passionate about delivering a sustainable Games and through our five themes we are able to focus our team on the key areas of delivery to ensure tangible results and a lasting legacy for the province and its people."

The full report can be accessed here.