Paris Olympics Achieve Significant Emission Reductions
This summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris saw a significant reduction in carbon emissions, organizers announced. The Games generated 1.59 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, a 54.6% decrease compared to the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
“We had to reinvent,” said Georgina Grenon, Paris Games director of environmental excellence, underscoring the challenges of minimizing environmental impact for an event of this magnitude.
The reduction, achieved through a range of strategies, demonstrates a commitment to sustainable practices within the massive undertaking of hosting the Olympics.
Cutting Emissions: From Venue Construction to Spectator Travel
The 1.59 million tonnes of CO2 generated by the Games, according to French government calculations, is equivalent to driving a car around the globe 182,675 times or 898,305 return flights between Paris and New York. However, organizers are not claiming “carbon neutrality” as they invested in projects to compensate for the remaining emissions.
A significant portion of the emissions reduction stemmed from the reuse of existing venues and temporary structures instead of costly new builds. The Athletes’ Village, for instance, was built from sustainably sourced materials and will be transformed into affordable housing after the Games, ensuring a lasting impact beyond the event.
Minimizing spectator travel emissions was another key focus. The CO2 footprint associated with fans traveling to the Games was significantly lower due to the compact nature of the venues within Paris and the ease of accessing them using public transportation systems.
Further reductions were achieved through sustainable catering practices and the use of renewable energy sources. The Paris 2024 Sustainability Report outlines these efforts in detail.
Sharing Knowledge: A Legacy for Future Games
Paris organizers emphasize the vital role of knowledge sharing with future Olympic hosts.
In addition to reusable venues and sustainable practices, the focus on public transportation offers valuable insights for future Games. Two of Paris’ key legacies are the remodeled Stade de France and the Sport and Olympic Museum at the former sporting complex, showing a commitment to long-term use beyond a two-week event
The experience gained through Paris’ efforts, from design stages to implementation and post-Games analysis, provides a valuable blueprint, particularly for the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games.
By sharing both successes and challenges, Paris sets a precedent for a greener future for the Olympics, encouraging continuous improvement and a commitment to environmental stewardship. The hope is that future Games will build upon these efforts, fostering a pattern of sustainable practices and minimizing the environmental impact of hosting such a global event.
