The Olympic Games are held every four years in different countries. The host city for the Olympics is decided by the members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
This year, the Olympics will be hosted in Paris, France. The event will take place from July 24, 2024, to August 11, 2024.
image source: Paris 2024 Olympic Venues | Paris 2024 (olympics.com)
Paris has made this year’s Olympics a lot different than usual.
The impact of the Olympic Games on the environment has been a significant cause for concern. This is primarily due to the extensive travel involving athletes, spectators, and officials, as well as the construction of infrastructure and venues, and the substantial energy consumption during these large-scale global events.
For instance, the 2012 Olympics in London had an estimated carbon footprint of 3.3 million Tonnes of CO2 equivalent. But Paris aims to set a positive example for future Olympic Games this year.
Paris 2024 Olympics aim to halve this number setting a target of 1.6 million Tonnes of CO2 equivalent, which is part of a broader effort to make the Olympic Games more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
This marks the first instance of a committee establishing a carbon budget to adhere to long before the Games. This pioneering approach involves the use of a new method for strategizing and managing overall operations.
Let’s see what the Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 in France has to say:
Marie Barsacq – IMPACT AND LEGACY DIRECTOR
“Our ambition is clear to demonstrate that environmental and social excellence is not only necessary but also a source of strength.”
GEORGINA GRENON – ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE DIRECTOR
“We firmly believe that sport can be harnessed to build a more sustainable society in which people demonstrate greater solidarity and are more mindful of nature and biodiversity. Sport enables us to take in the beauty of our surroundings and understand why we need to protect the environment; it offers an excellent pollution-free mode of transport.”
image source: Paris 2024 Olympic Venues | Paris 2024 (olympics.com)
The committee has identified some observations to enhance environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Based on these observations, the committee has set the following objectives:
- Paris 2024’s primary objective is to prevent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to the event. In total, this year’s Olympic Games will reduce emissions linked to the event by 50% when compared to previous editions of the Games.
- Commit to a climate-positive Olympic and Paralympic Games
- Paris 2024 launched the “Climate Coach”, an application designed by Paris 2024 to help its employees reduce their personal and professional carbon footprint.
- The committee has prioritized the Circular Economy in its responsible purchasing strategy, aiming to promote eco-design principles, reduce the use of raw materials and non-renewable resources, and minimize waste production and wasteful practices.
- To create more employment and to help acquire skills committee makes strategy aimed to support Small Business and companies in France.
- Use the Games as a platform to promote gender equality, inclusion and the fight against all forms of discrimination, which is why it teamed up with the French State to create an “Equality” events label for the Paris 2024 Games.
- Raise awareness for healthy diet for people and planet – Encouraging people of all ages including children to take part in sports and be physically active as sedentary lifestyles creates public health issues.
- Work to eliminate single-use plastics in and through sport.
- Implementation of the resource management plan and creating a Zero Waste Strategy.
Paris wants to demonstrate what long-term sustainability looks like, and they have done a fantastic job. Sustainability must be a priority to create a better future for people and the planet.
Source of information: Paris2024-Legacy-Plan.pdf
