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4 ways Paris 2024 is greening up the Games

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By Imogen Ford
7 Aug 2024

Paris 2024's sustainability commitments fall in line with the four main areas of our lives which drive the climate crisis – energy, transport, food and nature.

Set to be the greenest yet, this year's Olympics have an impressive plan to cut its CO2 footprint in half compared to previous year's.

1. Energy - Making the most of the summer sun

Not only are the 2024 Games supplied by 100% renewable energy from the wind and the sun, but they’re also home to an impressive array of photovoltaic projects:

  • The Olympic Village’s bus station has almost 1,000m² of solar panels on a carport roof, powering around 25% of the energy needed in the international delegations’ reception and information centre.

  • A floating sun park on the Seine, made up of 400m² of solar panels, is generating enough green electricity to power 30 two-bedroom apartments in the Olympic Village.

olympic village

2. Transport –The power of public transport

We all know by now the damage that fossil fuel vehicles cause to the environment, so  

  • All venues for this year’s Games are accessible by public transport, with over 400km of new bike lanes added to the existing network.

  • Plus, over 80% of the venues are located within 10km of the Village – meaning athletes don’t have to travel as far as in previous years.

olympic bike lane

3. Food – Double the amount of plant-based ingredients

Athletes need a lot of good food to fuel them throughout their training and competitions, so it makes sense to increase the vegan ingredients and options served.  

  • Double the plants, half the CO2 emissions – rather than the average 2kg of CO2 emissions per meal served at previous Games, Paris 2024 is committing to just 1kg of CO2 emissions per meal.

  • They’re also committed to limiting food waste by recycling 100% of uneaten food – whether it’s donated to charity, converted to animal feed or turned into compost, nothing is left to waste.

olympic plant-based

4. Nature – Boosting biodiversity

Lastly, but by no means least, it’s important that the Olympics are actively making room for nature to thrive, rather than it being an afterthought.  

  • In the Village, rooftops have been purpose-built to protect biodiversity, including spaces to house insects and birds.

  • Once the Games are over, the Olympic Village will be transformed into a neighbourhood featuring a 3-hectare landscaped park and 7 hectares of gardens and parks.

All in all, the Paris Olympics are certainly paving a way for more sustainable future Games. These efforts all come together to help the city reach their goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!

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