The Paris 2024 Olympic Games come with an ambitious goal: to be the most sustainable edition from an economic, social, and environmental (Environmental, Social, and Governance - ESG) point of view. Despite being a bold proposal, the sustainability movement at the Olympics is nothing new. In London 2012, there was a 58% reduction in carbon emissions from the construction operations of the Olympic Park, which became known as the “first sustainable Olympics”, while 98.5% of the demolition waste and 99% of the construction waste from the Park were recycled.
Since then, the main goal set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to leave a legacy for the Olympics. In Tokyo (2021), the Olympic Committee estimated 2.73 million tons of CO2 emissions, but purchased credits equivalent to 4.38 million tons. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, emissions reached 3.5 million tons.
This year, the main new feature of the event is one of the tools created by the French government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Coach Climat Événements (literally translated: Climate Coach for Events). Created by the French Ministry of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Committees, the service calculates the carbon emissions of Olympic-related sporting events.
The program aims to understand the environmental impact of the event based on physical activity, number of participants, duration and specific requirements of each sport. Additional information, such as transportation, energy and food details during the competition, helps to calculate the carbon footprint accurately. The website displays the total emissions expected for the event and, similar to a sports coach, provides steps to reduce mistakes made.
In the last sustainability report for the Olympics, in November 2023, more than 560 events in 46 sports had already calculated their emissions. This data is essential for planning and implementing sustainability actions, with an estimated average reduction of 24% in the carbon footprint of the competitions.
In this context, one of the main strategies employed by the Paris 2024 team is the use of existing venues and temporary structures to host the games. By minimizing the need for new construction, the organizers significantly reduced the environmental impact of the event. Some examples of what was achieved by the event:
Champs-Élysées
The famous Champs-Élysées was transformed into a large sports arena, with temporary stands and facilities that can be easily dismantled and recycled after the games.
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower Stadium, which hosted beach volleyball and blind football, is a temporary structure that integrates perfectly with its historic surroundings.
Aquatic Center
The Aquatic Center, one of the few facilities built specifically for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, was designed to be a low-carbon, highly energy-efficient building. With a 5,000 square meter roof covered in photovoltaic panels, the center is one of the most important urban solar parks in France. The building’s structure is made from environmentally friendly materials such as CLT (cross-laminated timber) and low-carbon concrete, reducing its environmental impact.
Adidas Arena
Designed to host badminton and rhythmic gymnastics events, the arena is predominantly built from concrete, aluminum (with a high energy footprint) and bio-based materials. After the games, it will be the headquarters of the Paris Basketball Club and a concert venue.
Olympic Village
The Olympic Village, which will house athletes and officials during the games, was built using a combination of permanent and temporary structures, with an emphasis on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. The buildings, which are less than 20 meters high, were designed to maximize natural light and ventilation, reducing the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning. In addition, solar panels were installed on the roof. The village will also feature green roofs and walls, providing insulation and helping to reduce the urban heat island effect. The beds are made of cardboard and the mattresses are made from recycled fishing nets. The village will leave behind eco-smart housing for the city’s population.
Artificial Intelligence
With applications ranging from athlete protection to improved streaming experiences and efficient energy management, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological innovations are set to have a major impact on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Urban Mobility
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are investing heavily in sustainable urban mobility and infrastructure. The city has expanded its public transport network with new metro lines and invested €65 million in cycle lanes, ample parking areas and a new fleet of shared bikes. Organizers are also encouraging the use of electric and hybrid vehicles, with a fleet of low-emission buses and cars to transport athletes and officials.
100% Renewable Energy
Perhaps most impressively, Paris 2024 aims to be the first Olympic Games to be powered entirely by renewable energy. The organizing committee has partnered with energy companies to ensure that all electricity used during the event will come from renewable sources, such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power. In summary, all the initiatives implemented by the IOC for Paris 2024 suggest that we are about to witness the most sustainable edition of the Olympic Games to date, highlighting the talents of the athletes and leaving a sustainable legacy for Paris, and with plans set for 2030, this is just the beginning.
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