Sebastian Coe said on Thursday that the London 2012 Games will herald a new era of environmental sustainability in the Olympic movement and inspire young people to think about safeguarding the planet.

"The days of building big simply because the last Games were big are over," Coe, chairman of the London organising committee (LOCOG), told delegates at a conference on the environment held at ExCel, one of the proposed 2012 venues.

"No Games should pass through a city without leaving a lasting impression. The Olympic Movement can be a vehicle for raising environmental awareness among new audiences."

The Olympic Deliver Authority (ODA) launched an ambitious sustainable development strategy in January with chief executive David Higgins saying 2012 can be the "greenest Games" ever.

Its plan states that 90 percent of demolition material on the site will be re-cycled or re-used while permanent venues will only be built if there is a long-term legacy use for them.

The site in a run-down area east of the City is currently being cleared in preparation for the building of the main stadium, Olympic village, velodrome and aquatics centre.

Coe said that while the Games are above all about sport and athletes, the London Olympics will act as a catalyst for enviromental, social-economic benefits.

"We want to create a Games that will have a lasting influence on the way people think and behave...in short a Games that changes lives," Coe said.

"It's a chance to transform one of the poorest areas in Britain into an urban and environmental showpiece.

"We are not just putting in new stadia. We will be putting in utilities that can support a community and house thousands of people in new homes beside new offices, schools, hospitals and retail facilities.

"There will be no white elephants. We are designing the new Olympic venues around the long term needs of the communities in London. The Olympic and Paralympic Games will last six weeks, but the physical legacy will last for 60 years and more."

Coe said that London 2012 was working closely with the global conservation group WWF and BioRegional towards a "One Planet Olympics".

"Emphasis will be given to reducing greenhouse gases through energy efficient buildings, greater use of renewable energy where possible, environmentally friendly transport and better management of green spaces," he said.

"London 2012 One Planet Olympics will demonstrate to young people the power of the Games to bring the world together through sport to address vital environmental issues -- such as climate change -- and change lives through creating better ways of living and caring for the environment."