The Green Agenda of Paris Games: 7 Innovative Solutions Being Implemented at the Biggest Sports Event of 2024
The Paris 2024 Olympics aspired to become the greenest Games in history, cutting its carbon footprint by half compared to London 2012 and Rio 2016. These two events had approximate carbon footprints of 3.3 million and 3.6 million tonnes respectively. This is prepared by SSP.
Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), emphasized that sustainability was important given the significant threats posed by climate change. Accordingly, numerous initiatives were introduced to achieve this green agenda, BBC reports.
Existing Venues and Low-Carbon Construction
Unlike previous Games where new stadiums were massively constructed, Paris 2024 opted for sustainability by largely utilizing pre-existing venues. Out of the 35 stadiums planned, only two were new constructions, designed with low-carbon methods. For example, the new aquatics center involved seats made from recycled local plastic.
Recycled Furniture and Sustainable Athlete Housing
In the Athletes' Village, unique recycled and environmentally friendly items like coffee tables made from shuttlecocks, chairs from bottle tops, and bean bags from parachute fabric were introduced. Tokyo 2020's viral cardboard beds also returned, aiming to avoid myths of discouraging intimacy among athletes and further promoting recycling.
Doubled Plant-Based Menu Options
Efforts extended to catering with the aim of increasing plant-based ingredients for the spectators and workforce, aiming to double the proportions achieved in London 2012 and Rio 2016. This move included sourcing 80% of ingredients from local farms and limiting animal products, a significant shift for France's traditional fare.
Energy and Transportation Innovations
One of the remarkable transitions was making 100% of venues control-grid connected, to avoid diesel dependency. Further, there was a development plan of a 60km cycling network to link all Olympic venues, reinforcing cycling as a primary mode of transportation during the Games.
Medals with Historical Significance and Eco-friendly Maritime Solutions
The coveted medals for these Games were inserted with 18 grams of iron sourced from the Eiffel Tower, thereby promoting the circular economy. Additionally, instead of petroleum-based buoys, geo-positioned, drone-like buoys were used during sailing events to protect delicate ecosystems in the National Park in Marseille—a first for the Games and highly sustainable.
Initiatives in Overarching Events
The opening ceremony, uniquely on the River Seine, was another focal point for green implementation. A fleet of electric parade boats promised zero emissions, with a broader scheme to electrify Parisian port quays. This presented an opportunity not only aligned with Games' sustainability but also signaled an innovation for maritime mobility.
Sponsor Criticisms and Technological Transition
Addressing sponsor accountability, efforts were introduced for major partners like Coca Cola and Toyota. Despite Coca Cola maintaining its rank as the top plastic polluter, steps like introducing beverage fountains promised reducing plastic usage by up to 50%. Similarly, Toyota provided hydrogen-fuel cell vehicles to underscore advancements in zero-emission transport.
Among the marked contrasts to previous Games was the sale of tickets centrally to an international audience. Challenges like increased international spectator travel pose considerable concern for carbon reduction but emphasize inclusivity.
Compounded by bans on short-haul flights in favor of train routes, France displays wider efforts toward a sustainable Games realization, demonstrating that large-scale sporting events can indeed be environmentally considerate.
By amalgamating various green initiatives from minimal new constructions to circular economies and connecting energy grids to local renewable sources, Paris 2024 sets an emergent blueprint for future global sporting events.