Murad Qureshi AM has congratulated Beijing for the positive feedback given by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for meeting if not exceeding many of its environment pledges for the 2008 Olympics.

Murad Qureshi AM said: "As a spectator at the games, l saw at first hand the greening of the Beijing Games with regard to improved air quality, major public transport investment, waste management at sites and generally improved green spaces of the city, so l am not surprised that UNEP have concluded that Beijing has exceeded their environmental commitments at the Games."

He added: "l trust LOCOG will have learnt from the Chinese on this front, particularly in regard to issues like air quality where we are in danger of not complying with EU directives by 2012, and the massive modal shift to public transport the Chinese achieved during the games and which they have maintained since."