Paris Olympics: A Blueprint for Sustainable Games?
Organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympics set out to create a significantly greener Games, declaring they had achieved a more than 50% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games.
This ambitious target resulted in a total generation of 1.59 million tonnes of climate-warming CO2. To put that into perspective, this is equivalent to driving a car 182,675 times around the globe – highlighting just how significant this reduction is.
While not entirely “carbon neutral,” Paris Games organisers believe they’ve set a new standard for environmental responsibility at major sporting events. Funding projects to offset emissions and embracing ambitious sustainability measures were key components of their strategy.
Rethinking Sustainability: The Strategies Behind the Reduction
Achieving this reduction in CO2 footprint required a holistic approach. Paris 2024 embraced various innovative strategies:
Prioritising Existing Infrastructure
The Games leveraged a majority of existing venues, minimizing the need for new construction. This approach significantly reduced the embodied carbon associated with typical Olympic infrastructure development.
Embracing Sustainable Transportation
Organisers promoted public transportation and active travel, reducing the reliance on private transportation by spectators and athletes alike.
Minimising Waste, Emphasizing Circularity
A comprehensive waste management plan focused on reducing, reusing, and recycling materials throughout the Games. Promoting a “circular economy” by reusing and repurposing materials, they aimed to avoid end-of-life disposal.
Sustainable Sourcing for Food and Products
Prioritizing locally sourced food and beverages, organizers minimized transportation impacts and supported local economies.
They encouraged the use of reusable containers and plastic reduction wherever possible, aligning with the event’s wider sustainability goals.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources powered many venues and events, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Strategically designed venues prioritized energy efficiency, minimizing overall consumption.
Sharing Knowledge for Future Games
“We had to reinvent,” said Georgina Grenon, the Games’ director of environmental excellence. “We wanted to leave a positive legacy and hope the lessons learned from Paris will be adopted by future Olympic Games.”
The Paris 024 model of focusing on existing infrastructure, minimizing new construction, and maximizing sustainable practices offers valuable insights for future hosts, starting with the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
