The 2024 Paris Olympics is aiming to be the greenest Olympics ever, prioritizing sustainability and hopefully setting a precedent for other sporting events to follow. The organizers have pledged to cut carbon emissions by half compared to London 2012 and Rio 2016 and align with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
But what exactly will make these Olympics so green, and how can you be more sustainable in your own life during the games?
Sustainable venues
Many of the venues for the 2024 Olympics are either temporary or repurposed from existing structures, significantly reducing the need for new construction and minimizing waste. All seats in the Aquatics Centre and La Chapelle Arena are made from local plastic waste. The Games are also serving as an accelerator to clean the River Seine of pollution and enable swimming.
Borrowing equipment
Reducing and reusing are key principles for the Games. To achieve this, 75% of their sports equipment will be rented or loaned from sports federations. They have meticulously mapped out all the resources needed to stage the Games, down to the last tennis ball, with the aim of controlling their life cycle before, during, and after the event to minimize the material footprint.
More plant-based food
The 13 million meals to be served at the Olympic and Paralympic Games will produce less than half the carbon emissions of the average French meal, with an estimated 1kg of CO2 per meal compared to 2.3kg. This reduction is achieved by focusing on more heavily plant-based, local, and organic food options.
Zero-waste goals
The Olympics aims to achieve zero-waste-to-landfill by implementing comprehensive recycling and composting programs. This effort is supported by strict waste management protocols and public education campaigns to encourage proper waste disposal. Food waste will be minimized through practices such as reusing, composting, or transforming all unconsumed food.
Halving single-use plastics
To further enhance sustainability, the event will provide reusable cups and refillable bottles for fans and athletes, alongside drink fountains with refill options, returnable glass bottles, and plastic bottles made from recycled materials. The aim is to halve the use of single-use plastic.
Renewable energy
The games will be powered entirely by renewable energy sources, with all venues connected to the national grid as a back-up. Where they are required, generators will be powered by biofuel, hydrogen or batteries. This will remain in place after the games to continue the legacy of the games and showcase the potential of clean energy on a global stage.
Sustainable transportation
All venues are accessible by public transport, with additional cycle paths added, and more than 80% of Olympic venues are within 10 km of the Olympic Village. The Paris 2024 vehicle fleet has been trimmed by 40% compared to previous Games and will promote the use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles for athlete and spectator transportation, reducing emissions and showcasing the viability of alternative fuel technologies.
Source: GikiZero