Paris is now now mid-way through a summer of sport, saying “au revoir” to the 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday August 11th, and “bonjour” to the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8. The Olympics have already overcome initial nay-saying to captivate local and global audiences with new sports and outstanding backdrops. But what sets this year’s events apart is their unprecedented focus on sustainability.
The Paris Olympics were the first to be guided by the International Olympic Committee (IOC’s) 2020 sustainability strategy, designed to align the games with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This event aimed to set new standards for environmental responsibility in global sports by taking active steps to drive climate action through targeted sustainability initiatives.
Cutting carbon emissions in half
The Paris Organising Committee made a splash when it announced a bold goal: cutting carbon emissions by 50% compared to the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, setting a new standard for major sporting events. This ambitious target is crucial in an era where the impacts of climate change are increasingly evident.
Renewable energy
The strategy to achieve this reduction included a significant shift towards renewable energy:
- Wind and solar power: Unlike previous games, which relied heavily on diesel generators, Paris 2024 primarily opted for wind and solar power, with the aim of drastically reducing the carbon footprint associated with energy consumption.
- Innovative energy solutions: Clean energy sources were earmarked for all venues and energy-efficient technologies implemented.
Optimizing Infrastructure
Another notable effort has been the extensive use of existing and temporary competition venues:
- Existing facilities: 95% of the competition venues for the games are either pre-existing or temporary structures. This approach minimizes the environmental impact associated with construction.
- New facilities: The new structures that have been built adhere to high environmental standards and have planned legacy uses, such as the Olympic village, which is set to become sustainable housing post-games.
UN Sports for Nature framework
The Paris Organising Committee, the IOC, and over 20 other sports organizations have signed the UN Sports for Nature Framework. This groundbreaking framework commits signatories to halving their emissions by 2030. The ultimate goal is to achieve net zero by 2040.
It also encourages partners to align themselves with four additional key principles:
- Protect Nature and avoid damage: A focus on mitigating biodiversity loss.
- Restore key ecosystems: Actively engaging in restoration projects.
- Create sustainable supply chains: Ensuring that all materials and supplies are sourced sustainably.
- Educate and inspire: Motivating the wider sporting community to take action for nature.
Not-so-sustainable surfing
However, well before the Olympic Cauldron was lit in the Tuileries Gardens, the games were hit by controversy over the French Olympic Committee’s decision to host the surfing competition in Tahiti – 9,500 miles away from the host city. This came despite a number of French locations, including popular surf spot Biarritz, bidding for the chance to host the sport.
The French organizers responded that Tahiti was chosen to provide “an opportunity to engage French overseas territories and their communities in the Olympic Games while showcasing France’s rich and diverse heritage.” They also asserted that “there was no difference in the cost or environmental impact of all the possible venues.”
Environmental impact concerns
Tahiti, home to the iconic Teahupo’o wave, is world-renowned for surfing and has hosted multiple international competitions. Previous competitions have been judged from a temporary wooden viewing platform, designed to minimize damage to the area’s precious marine ecosystem. But France’s Olympic committee decided that the existing infrastructure wasn’t up to standard, pushing ahead with the construction of new facilities, designed to enhance the training and performance of Olympic athletes – despite environmental and biodiversity concerns.
Construction began in 2023 and had already caused damage before any surfers took to the waves. Work was paused in December after barges transporting equipment destroyed parts of the coral reefs, but was later restarted. Local people and environmental groups fear the project will cause further significant, long-term harm to the reef and the wider marine environment, as well as impacting locals’long-term livelihoods.
Olympic sustainability challenges
It’s evident that the Olympic road to net zero isn’t an easy one, not least due to the complexities of tracking ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data and impacts from across the Games’ entire, multi-tiered value chain, involving thousands of stakeholders.
Scope 3 emissions
Scope 3 emissions include all indirect emissions that occur in the value chain, such as:
- Supplier Emissions: Emissions from suppliers producing goods and services for the Games.
- Transportation: Emissions from transporting materials, athletes, and spectators.
- Waste Disposal: Emissions related to waste management processes.
The broader ESG equation
- Data collection: Accurately tracking ESG data requires comprehensive data collection by various stakeholders.
- Collaboration: Engaging suppliers, partners, and other stakeholders to gather accurate ESG data and implement sustainable practices is complex.
- Measurement challenges: The variability of ESG impacts, such as environmental emissions, social impact, and governance issues, makes them difficult to measure and manage effectively.
Why is sustainability important in sporting events?
Climate change continues to threaten sporting events at all levels. Extreme weather events around the world and the rise in temperatures impact the ability of athletes to train and compete.
Additionally, pollution and poor air quality harm athletes’ lungs and blood vessel quality, increasing their vulnerability to illness. Snow-reliant sports also suffer due to reduced snowfall due to global warming. As climate change worsens, sports will continue to face these, and perhaps new challenges.
The modern Olympic Games are generally acknowledged as being the pinnacle of global sports and have a unique platform to influence millions. They also have a unique opportunity to pave the way for sustainability in sporting events by setting exemplary standards and practices.
Sustainable sport – Driving lasting change
Back to the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics -which hope to set a new standard for sustainability in sports. With a commitment to halving carbon emissions, extensive use of renewable energy, and adherence to the UN Sports for Nature Framework, the Paris Organising Committee has indeed set new benchmarks for environmental responsibility.
However, significant challenges remain, particularly in accounting for Scope 3 ESG data, an exercise which requires meticulous planning and robust collaboration among all stakeholders involved.
To be truly sustainable, the sports industry needs to embrace new tools and technologies for comprehensive data collection. This approach will ensure that all aspects of their environmental impact are measured and managed effectively, driving meaningful and lasting change.
