One of the goals of this year's Summer Olympics in Paris is to reduce the carbon footprint of previous games in London in 2012 and Rio in 2016 by 50%. In order to do that, instead of using post-event estimates of the carbon footprint, Paris 2024 has committed to anticipating the carbon footprint and adopting carbon avoidance strategies and capture projects.
Paris 2024, which includes Opening and Closing Ceremonies for both the Olympic Games and the Paralympics, some of the most-watched live broadcast entertainment shows ever, is designed to be the most eco-friendly in the last 20 years.
To measure the carbon footprint of the Games, Paris 2024 assessed the carbon emissions of the event including spectator travel. Tokyo 2020 was held without spectators, but using London and Rio as a guide the average carbon footprint of the event was 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 or teqCO2.
Working with climate experts within its Ecological Transformation Committee Paris 2024 estimates that the carbon footprint of the Paris 2024 Games will be 1.58 million teqCO2, lower than the target of 1.75 million teqCO2.
Below are some of the actions taken to create a Paris 2024 Games ecosystem to avoid, reduce and control carbon emissions.
Construction
Solideo is the public sector organization tasked with financing, supervising and delivering the Olympic facilities and to help meet the sustainability goals, 95% of the infrastructure being used is either temporary or already in existence. Construction also used low-carbon techniques (wooden frames, low-carbon concrete and recycled materials) that reduce emissions per square meter, by 30% in the Athletes’ Village, for example. Over the buildings’ entire life cycle, Solideo's results show a 47% reduction in carbon impact compared with conventional construction projects.
Energy
All the Games venues are connected to the electricity grid thanks to the work of Enedis, Official Supporter of the Paris 2024 Games, in order to limit the use of diesel generators. These permanent facilities will benefit post-Games events by reducing their carbon footprint. EDF, Premium Partner of the Paris 2024 Games, will supply the grid with electricity from renewable sources (solar and wind). This model will reduce energy-related carbon emissions by 80% compared with the traditional sports event model.
Catering
Thirteen million meals and snacks will be served during the Games. Key measures include doubling the use of plant-based food and halving the amount of single-use plastic compared with the London 2012 Games, increasing local and seasonal sourcing, and fighting food waste.
Transport Within France
All the competition venues can be reached by public transport and those in Ile-de-France will be accessible by bike thanks to 415km of cycle paths and secure bicycle parking facilities. To meet the needs of the Olympic and Paralympic family, Paris 2024 is providing a fleet of light electric, renewable hydrogen and hybrid vehicles with its partner Toyota. Paris 2024 has also chosen to reduce the number of vehicles by a third compared with the average of previous Games by optimizing and pooling vehicle use.
Equipment
Ninety percent of the 6 million pieces of equipment used will be given a second life by the Games service providers and partners. More circular Games for less impact.
IT
Seventy percent of the IT equipment used during the Games will be leased, and it will all be used after the Games. The most popular consumer applications have also been eco-designed.
One-third of total estimated carbon emissions are transport-related
One-third of the total estimated carbon emissions of the Games are linked to athlete and spectator travel. The number and geographical origin of spectators will only be known after all tickets have been sold, and the modes of transport they use to travel to France only after the Games are over.
Paris 2024 is calling on all visitors to the Games to help its climate objective by using low-carbon modes of transport to travel to France and the least carbon-intensive methods of travel once they arrive. This strategy is working, the delegations of Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Switzerland have announced that their athletes will travel to France by train.
Alongside its ambition to reduce the carbon emissions of the Games, Paris 2024 has developed a funding program for projects aimed at avoiding and capturing carbon emissions, which will aim to offset unavoidable Games-related emissions.
Abatable and Schneider Electric with EcoAct are joining the Paris 2024 adventure as Official Supporters of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the “Research and development services for third-party climate contribution projects category”.