From Paris to Tahiti: Sustainability analysis of Olympics 2024

From Paris to Tahiti: Sustainability analysis of Olympics 2024

What thoughts do the Olympics evoke in us?

Athletic feats,

Diverse cultures,

Sports,

Sportsmanship,

Stories about the spirit of competition and camaraderie?

While we celebrate sharing humanity’s passion for excellence over winning, this Paris Olympics 2024 is also about sustainability. The event highlights eco-friendly practices, aiming for a smaller carbon footprint. It's a groundbreaking step, blending athletic excellence with environmental responsibility, showing that we can care for our planet while enjoying world-class sports.

Paris 2024: Setting a New Benchmark for Olympic Sustainability 

The Paris 2024 Olympics promise to set a new benchmark in sustainability, extending its green ethos from the bustling streets of Paris to the serene shores of Tahiti. The Paris 2024 Olympics are poised to be the greenest in history, aligning fully with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) strategic roadmap, Olympic Agenda 2020 and compatible with the Paris climate agreement. This vision aims to shape the future of the Olympic Movement by making the Games more sustainable, cost-effective, and aligned with the needs of host cities and communities. From Paris to Tahiti, the Paris 2024 Olympics are pioneering a comprehensive sustainability agenda that could serve as a model for future international events. Starting with the new motto, 'Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together', the key sustainability initiatives include:

1)       Carbon neutral goals:          

The Paris 2024 Olympics aim for a maximum carbon budget of 1.58 Mt CO₂ eq, a challenging target compared to Tokyo 2020. Hosting cities can leverage mega-events to promote urban regeneration and energy transitions, aligning with Paris climate goals. The expected carbon footprint is 1.6 Mt CO₂ eq for 13-16 million visitors, equating to 100-125 kg CO₂ eq per person (83 bottles of wine). The Paris 2024 Olympics aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50% compared to the average emissions of the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games, aligning with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (olympics.com). This ambitious goal considers all carbon emissions, including direct, indirect, and spectator travel emissions. Despite these efforts, an estimated 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions remain a concern, emphasizing the need for effective carbon offsetting and further sustainable practices.

(Data Source:prnewswire.com)

2)       Sustainable transportation:

Paris has developed an extensive plan to promote sustainable transportation. The city’s well-established public transport network has been enhanced, and athletes and spectators were encouraged to use bicycles and electric vehicles. The Olympic Village is designed to be car-free, further reducing emissions. Additionally, the Olympic fleet has been reduced by 37% compared to the previous games (How the 2024 Paris Olympics fast-tracked decarbonization). Transport to the Games focuses on accessibility and sustainability:

Public Transport: Enhancing the city’s public transport network, with 80% of the venues located within a 10 km radius of the Olympic Village (Will the Paris 2024 Olympics be the Greenest Ever?).

Green Vehicles: Using electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles to reduce emissions is encouraged.

Extensive Cycling Infrastructure: Paris has expanded over 400 km of cycling lanes linking all competition venues, promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation.

(Cyclists Are Taking Over Paris for the Olympic Games)

3)       Waste Management:

An ambitious waste management program aims to achieve a 70% recycling rate during the games (IOC). Single-use plastics are banned, and extensive recycling and composting facilities were set up across the venues. Nearly 11,000 seats are made from recycled plastic bottles and caps (Paris Olympics to give waste a second life)

4)       Eco-friendly infrastructure:

A cornerstone of the Paris 2024 sustainability strategy is the extensive use of existing and temporary venues, minimizing new construction. Approximately 95% of the venues are considered to be pre-existing or temporary, aligning with the IOC's sustainability recommendations (IOC). Key sustainable features include the Aquatics Centre and the Paris 2024 Olympic Village. Both venues are located in the northeastern suburban areas of Paris which are investment lacking locations in the city.

(Data Source: Olympics.com)

5)       River Seine Cleanup and Environmental Impact:

Environmental Cleanup: Paris undertook a major effort to clean the River Seine to ensure it met safety standards for the 2024 Olympics, investing €1.4 billion in projects like the construction of an underground rainwater storage tank and upgrades to water treatment facilities (apnews.com). This cleanup aimed to address pollution caused by overflow from the city's aging sewage system during heavy rains. The Seine was chosen to host various Olympic events, including the triathlon and marathon swimming, with the goal of showcasing environmental commitment and leveraging the Games to promote urban regeneration and sustainability.

A glimpse of river Seine (Getty Images: Tim Clayton / Corbis)

During the Olympics, the men's triathlon swimming leg was delayed due to elevated E. coli levels in the River Seine, caused by heavy rains leading to sewage overflow. Despite significant investments to improve water quality, water quality issues persisted. Although the triathlon event was postponed, contingency plans, such as alternative venues and reserve days, were implemented. Ultimately, the water quality met safety standards, allowing the triathlon events to proceed.

6)       Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency:

The Games operate entirely on 100% locally sourced renewable energy from France (Wind & Solar), transitioning seamlessly away from temporary diesel generators (Choosing renewable energy). Major venues like the Aquatics Centre and the Olympic Village are outfitted with solar panels, while geothermal cooling systems enhance their energy efficiency. The Athletes' village, set to become social housing post-Olympics, incorporates sustainable features such as natural cooling systems, despite the initial lack of built-in air conditioning. At the Aquatics Centre, the building is designed to optimize energy consumption for both the Games and future use. The concave roof shape reduces the volume of air needing heating by 30%, while pool water is maintained at 28°C using heat recovered from a neighboring data center. Additionally, photovoltaic panels on the roof will supply approximately 20% of the building’s electricity needs.

The geothermal cooling system has fallen short of expectations, struggling to maintain optimal temperatures amidst the summer heat. As a result, many participating countries have resorted to bringing their own air conditioning units or renting them locally to ensure the comfort of their athletes and staff. The situation highlights the challenges of relying solely on sustainable solutions in large-scale events, underscoring the need for backup systems to address unforeseen climate conditions.

7)       Sustainable Food:  

France is renowned for its rich, meat-centric cuisine, but Paris 2024 aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the 13 million meals expected to be served during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Food Vision initiative will double the amount of plant-based food compared to London 2012 and Rio 2016, with 80% of ingredients sourced from France, including all meat and dairy products. Efforts to limit food waste and reduce single-use plastics in catering by 50% aim to ensure each meal has a carbon footprint of 1 kg of CO₂, compared to the French average of 2.3 kg (IOC). Despite these efforts, catering is anticipated to account for only 1% of the Games' overall carbon footprint, and concerns remain about food waste and Coca-Cola's use of single-use plastic bottles, raising accusations of greenwashing.

Single use plastics banned for Olympics and Paralympics

8)       Circular Economy Approach:

Reduction, renting, and reusing are key elements of the Paris 2024 sustainability strategy. A circular economy approach is being implemented like fully recycled metal medals and re-using mattresses from the athletes' village. This helps to reduce new resource use and ensure the reuse of equipment and goods, with second lives secured for 90% of equipment and goods and prioritizing the renting of equipment from sports federations. The Aquatics Centre, predominantly constructed from carbon-storing timber, will be repurposed into a community venue after the games, contributing to a lasting legacy. 

9)       Athlete Advocacy:

Numerous athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics are also sustainability advocates. They utilize their platforms to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage eco-friendly lifestyles. Their dedication extends beyond competition, embodying a comprehensive approach to health and wellness.

10)  The Intersection of Sports and Sustainability:

The Paris 2024 Olympics underscore the unique potential of the Games to drive environmental awareness and sustainability practices worldwide. Despite existing challenges and criticisms, cities hosting the Olympics can leverage the event to spark significant environmental improvements and serve as role models for global sustainability efforts.

Reasons for choosing Tahiti: 9,765 miles from Paris.

Tahiti was chosen for the 2024 Olympic surfing events due to its excellent surf conditions, particularly from July to August, which offer consistent, high-quality waves. This choice supports sustainable tourism and aims to reduce environmental impact by using existing infrastructure. Moreover, hosting the event in Tahiti pays homage to the rich Polynesian surfing heritage, providing a culturally significant and historically respected venue for the sport. These factors ensure top-tier competition while promoting sustainability and cultural recognition.

The tower for judges and the field of play  Teahupo'o, Tahiti (Getty images)

Challenges and Criticisms:

Despite the ambitious sustainability initiatives, the Paris 2024 Olympics face significant challenges:

Travel and Accommodation Emissions: Approximately 50% of the Games emissions are from travel and accommodation, posing a major hurdle in reducing the overall carbon footprint.

Greenwashing Concerns: Critics have raised concerns about the effectiveness of carbon offsetting measures and the potential for greenwashing. These issues call for more genuine and robust sustainability efforts.

Future Considerations for the Olympics:

Ongoing debates question the compatibility of the Olympics with a sustainable future. Some suggest a decentralized hosting model or rotating games in a limited number of cities to reduce environmental impacts. Paris's infrastructure investments serve as an example for cleaner cities, while the sustainability efforts of Olympic organizers set a precedent for future Games.

Novel Carbon Accounting: Methods like Scope 4 emissions could measure the future emissions avoided due to Olympic initiatives, highlighting long-term benefits.

Sustainable Legacies: Efforts such as creating cycleways connecting venues enhance the positive impact of hosting the Olympics and encourage global sustainability.

Paris, where the landmark Paris Agreement for net-zero emissions was adopted, is now setting a strong precedent for sustainability in the Olympics, marking a significant step forward in eco-friendly event management. The Paris 2024 Olympics symbolizes a transformative leap by integrating innovative infrastructure, strict environmental standards, and respect for local communities. Despite challenges, the commitment to minimizing the carbon footprint through various initiatives demonstrates a strong dedication to sustainability. Though not emissions-free, Paris 2024 sets a new standard, aligning with the Paris Agreement's goals and providing a blueprint for eco-friendly mega-events, guiding us toward a greener future.