The Paris Olympics 2024 Are Going Green

Mega sporting events, such as the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup, are massive undertakings that attract global attention and significant investments. While these events bring excitement and economic benefits to host cities and countries, they also have the potential to create significant environmental and social impacts if not managed carefully. ^[1]  

Experts have highlighted the city's strong prospects for recovery post-event, once athletes and fans depart after more than two weeks. The city's approach to preparing for the games stands out significantly from past hosts, who have often incurred costs as high as $23.6 billion by constructing stadiums and facilities that are either demolished or underused post-Olympics. In contrast, Paris has adopted a more sustainable strategy, which a recent report indicates is advantageous for the environment, the city's finances, and the growth of France's green construction sector. ^[2]  

From an environmental standpoint, sustainability involves reducing adverse impacts on climate, natural habitats, biodiversity, and natural resource consumption through the use of eco-friendly materials and renewable energy sources. Economically, sustainability involves reducing costs and maximizing event-related economic benefits through leveraging existing infrastructure, and transportation networks, and collaborating with local businesses and suppliers to reduce transportation expenses. From a social perspective, these events typically have positive impacts on local communities by generating job opportunities and increasing tourism interest in the host location. 

With just one day until the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, organizers have dedicated years to ensuring it becomes the most sustainable Olympics to date. Key initiatives include utilizing 95% of existing venues, doubling the availability of plant-based food options, and ensuring that all venues are connected to the grid and powered by renewable energy sources. 

The organizers of the games have also explored innovative methods to minimize environmental impact, such as creating medals from iron sourced from the Eiffel Tower. The materials are completely recycled and certified. All competition venues are accessible via public transportation, leading to reduced vehicular traffic in the streets. Significantly, the Olympic Village serves as the central residence for athletes during the event, showcasing eco-friendly furniture. This includes coffee tables crafted from recycled badminton shuttlecocks, bean bags made from parachute fabrics, chairs constructed from recycled bottle caps, and sofas fashioned from Vauban barriers. During the ceremony, about thirty parade boats will be electrically propelled.

However, these efforts are set against a backdrop of broader environmental concerns, including heat-related challenges for athletes and spectators, as well as the cleanliness of the Seine River water for swimming events. That the Games are scheduled to take place less than a week after the record for the hottest day ever recorded was broken is just one indication of the risks involved for athletes, spectators, and the environment. The heat risks and environmental impact associated with major sporting events have raised doubts among some about their continued feasibility and desirability. 

Greenwashing in the sports world is a longstanding issue, characterized by a significant gap between sustainable rhetoric and actual actions. If Olympic organizers aim for genuine sustainability, they must scale down the Games, restrict long-distance tourist travel, thoroughly integrate green practices into their extensive supply chains, and ensure transparent accountability in their environmental efforts. Without these measures, the Olympics risk being seen as merely symbolic gestures, failing to meet the urgent need for substantial environmental transformation demanded by climate realities.