It’s official, London has been named the host city for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. But what will that mean for the environment?

The deprivation in this forgotten part of London is staggering. But as they begin to clear sites for future venues, the hosts promise to regenerate this polluted neighbourhood where unemployment is higher than in many parts of Europe.

The idea is to turn it into a 200-hectare park. The IOC seems to be along for this ride as they strive for the Games to not only not harm the environment but actually improve it. Previous Summer Games have been criticized for a lack of sustainable public transportation and for venues with negative environmental impact. London hopes to reverse that trend.

We’ll continue to follow this story as London strives to hold the first ‘green games’, an event with a positive effect on the environment.

Source: Jim Boulden and CNN International.