International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach appears in a video message at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday. Bach praised the organizers' efforts to host sustainable Beijing 2022 Winter Games.[Photo/China Daily]

The size of the venue's 12,000-square-meter rink, compared to traditional speed skating tracks, leaves enough space in the center to accommodate other sports in the future, such as curling, figure skating and hockey, said Li Sen, director of the Beijing 2022 general planning department.

Other green efforts outlined in the report include the ecological conservation, natural environment protection and water-saving projects implemented at mountain venues in Yanqing and Zhangjiakou's Chongli district. Construction of skiing slopes, athletes' villages and snow-making has been done prudently under the guidance of experts to avoid affecting flora and fauna and wasting resources.

"From using 2008 venues to the many measures to minimize environmental impacts and reduce carbon emissions, all these initiatives underline the commitment of Beijing 2022 to contribute to the sustainable development in China," said Bach.