Innovations such as roads that reflect heat and water-absorbing pavement that will help the 2020 Olympic Games be a carbon- neutral event could also be adopted by other cities looking to mitigate climate risks, urban experts said.
Tools set for the 2020 Games, including uniforms made from recycled plastic and cool zones for pedestrians to escape hot weather, can become regular features in Japanese cities and elsewhere, said an official at the Tokyo environment bureau.
"The Olympics are a big event, so it is a good opportunity to get our citizens involved in addressing the issues of climate change and sustainability," deputy director Kumiko Sugawara said on the sidelines of a United Nations urban forum in Penang, Malaysia.