Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games : analysis of climate and energy ambitions

Even if Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are on track to emit less CO2 emissions than in previous editions thanks to various measures implemented, the fact remains that more radical measures would have allowed a much more drastic reduction in the carbon footprint of games.

 

I) Climate and energy ambitions proudly supported by organizers of Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Numerous climate and energy ambitions have been announced by organizers of Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, whether in terms of transport, energy, land use planning, carbon emissions, etc.

Even if Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games rhyme with 800 sporting events, 15,000 athletes to welcome, transport and feed, 40,000 volunteers to train and equip and 13.4 million spectators, organizers of games do not hesitate to affirm that, compared to previous Olympic Games, the carbon footprint of Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games would be halved, making these games the first aligned with climate goals of the Paris Agreement.

To meet this challenge, numerous actions have been put in place, particularly in areas most likely to increase the carbon footprint of Olympic and Paralympic Games.

First, transportation. Numerous transport-related measures have been implemented to strengthen the sustainability of the area. Among these measures, a 400-kilometer cycle network in Ile de France, accompanied by 20,000 parking spaces for bicycles, has been developed. Furthermore, the city of Paris wanted to strengthen the range of possibilities linked to public transport by extending metro line 14 (to the north and south) as well as the RER E and the T3 tramway. The objective of these measures is to make all different Olympic sites accessible by bicycle or by public transport. Finally, EDF has made nearly 800 charging infrastructures available for electric and hybrid vehicles.

Then, developments and constructions. The communication strategy for Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games strongly emphasized the fact that 95% of sites used for games are existing or temporary infrastructures. The remaining infrastructures which were created specifically for games (5%) were, firstly, built with low-carbon materials (wood, low-carbon concrete, etc.) and recycled materials. Then, these infrastructures will be subject to reconversion after Olympic and Paralympic Games. For example :

  • The athletes’ village will be reorganized to accommodate family and student accommodation, offices, shops, performance halls, etc.
  • After Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Saint-Denis aquatic center will welcome the public, schools, sports clubs, the national swimming federation as well as sports competitions.

Concerning temporary infrastructure, the city of Paris undertakes to reuse or recycle materials resulting from dismantling.

Finally, on the energy side, two systems are worth mentioning. First, 15 solar power plants were installed on the roofs of the athletes’ village buildings. It is planned that at the end of Olympic and Paralympic Games, these power plants will participate in a collective self-consumption operation. Then, organizers of Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games affirmed that 100% of the energy consumed for the smooth running of games would be of renewable origin. Note that this promise can only be verified at the end of games.

 

II) Are unavoidable emissions really offset ?

Obviously, Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games cannot be carbon neutral. Some emissions are unavoidable.

Based on this premise, organizers of games announced that they wanted to keep CO2 emissions generated by games below a threshold set at 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. According to forecasts, CO2 emissions are expected to be distributed as follows :

  • 1/3 : Buildings
  • 1/3 : Gaming operations (catering, logistics, accommodation, etc.)
  • 1/3 : Travels

In order to compensate for these inevitable carbon emissions, Paris 2024 is committed to purchasing carbon credits, that is to say, to financing projects either to reduce CO2 emissions, or to avoid CO2, or of carbon sequestration. The budget allocated to this compensation system was set at 15 million euros, that’s to say 10 euros per ton of CO2 emitted. A nice sum which will still be insufficient to compensate for all emissions. Indeed, the IPCC has recommended a price signal per tonne of CO2 in 2030 which should oscillate between 100 euros and 400 euros, far from 10 euros per tonne of CO2 planned by Paris 2024. Therefore, the carbon compensation mechanism planned by Paris 2024, and the budget allocated to achieve it, will not be enough to wipe the slate clean of emissions from Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

III) What measures could be put in place to further reduce CO2 emissions generated by Olympic and Paralympic Games ?

One of the first measures that could reduce the carbon footprint of Olympic and Paralympic Games would consist of reducing the size and scale of the event by limiting long-distance travel of spectators. The idea would be to ensure that the event can be followed by the whole world but via television or digital in order to avoid as much as possible plane travel for spectators from the other side of the world.

Another measure could be considered. The IOC (“International Olympic Committee”) could organize Olympic and Paralympic Games in only 2 or 3 large cities which, every 4 years, would take turns to host Olympic and Paralympic Games. This system allows countries hosting Olympic and Paralympic Games not to systematically rebuild infrastructure.

 

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