By Sustainability Core Advisors
Sustainability advocates and Sustainability Strategists are saluting the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a landmark moment in the integration of Sustainability within global sporting events. As the first Olympic Games fully aligned with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Agenda 2020, which emphasized Sustainability, Paris 2024 set ambitious goals for reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and ensuring that the event created long-lasting social and economic benefits. This case study explores the various Sustainability initiatives undertaken by the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee and evaluates their impact.
Vision and Strategic Alignment
From the outset, Paris 2024 organizers set out to redefine the relationship between large-scale sporting events and Sustainability. Drawing from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which originated in the same city in 2015, the Games aimed to address environmental challenges through a clear commitment to carbon reduction and responsible resource use.
The Sustainability strategy for Paris 2024 revolved around a comprehensive carbon budget, which controlled emissions across all phases of the event—from construction and energy to transportation and procurement. This initiative was part of the broader Olympic Agenda, which has sought to enhance the impact of the Olympic Games by focusing on climate action, human rights (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and a legacy of wise resource use.
Carbon Emissions Reduction: Ambitious Targets and Innovative Solutions
One of the cornerstone initiatives of Paris 2024 is its commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 50% compared to the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games. To achieve this, the Organizing Committee implemented a multi-faceted approach that emphasized reducing emissions at every stage of the event’s lifecycle.
Infrastructure: Minimizing New Construction
A key element of the Sustainability strategy was to avoid unnecessary construction. Approximately 95% of the venues for Paris 2024 were pre-existing or temporary, minimizing the need for new building projects. This approach not only reduced carbon emissions associated with construction but also aligned with the IOC’s philosophy of low-impact Games that leave behind positive legacies for host cities.
The Aquatics Centre in Seine-Saint-Denis was the only new competition venue built for the Games. This facility was constructed with Sustainability in mind, using 2,300 cubic meters of wood—an eco-friendly alternative to carbon-intensive concrete and steel. The building is also highly energy-efficient, featuring a rooftop solar array and heat recovery systems. These innovations were designed to reduce energy consumption significantly compared to standard Olympic venues, ensuring a lower carbon footprint during and after the Games.
Renewable Energy and Public Transport
The commitment to carbon reduction extended to energy use across the event. All Olympic venues were powered by 100% renewable energy, sourced from wind and solar farms. Temporary venues, such as those in iconic locations like the Eiffel Tower, were also connected to the grid to avoid the use of diesel generators. This reliance on renewable energy was designed to prevent approximately 13,000 tons of carbon emissions.
Transportation was another critical area where Paris 2024 made significant strides. The Organizing Committee prioritized public transport, utilizing Paris’s extensive metro and rail networks to reduce reliance on private vehicles. In addition, the city expanded its network of cycle lanes, with 418 kilometers of bike paths available for athletes, spectators, and residents during the Games.
Electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles were used to support low-carbon mobility, further contributing to the reduction of emissions. Charging facilities and infrastructure for these vehicles were installed across key venues.
Resource Management and Waste Reduction: Doing More with Less
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, Paris 2024 implemented a meticulous approach to resource management. A key goal of the Organizing Committee was to “do more with less” by minimizing the material footprint of the Games. This approach involved detailed planning around the use of assets, from seating and tents to furniture and equipment, ensuring that resources are managed efficiently before, during, and after the event.
The Games set a target to reuse or recycle 90% of the assets used during the event. By carefully tracking the lifecycle of materials and assets, the Organizing Committee has been able to reduce the number of items required for the Games from 800,000 to 600,000.
This reduction not only helped to minimize waste but also contributed to the broader Sustainability goals of the event. For example, locally collected and recycled plastic was used to create seating for spectators at the Aquatics Centre. This initiative was part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on virgin materials and promote the circular economy.
Social and Economic Legacy: Long-Term Benefits for Local Communities
Beyond environmental Sustainability, Paris 2024 also focused on creating a positive social and economic legacy for the local population. One of the key objectives of the Games was to enhance social inclusion, particularly in underserved communities like Seine-Saint-Denis, a poorer section of Paris.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
The Games were designed to generate significant economic benefits for the Paris region. An independent study estimated that Paris 2024 could deliver between €6.7 billion and €11.1 billion in net economic benefits, with a mid-range scenario projecting €8.9 billion. The event has also created over 181,000 jobs, providing opportunities for local residents and businesses.
Moreover, 90% of the Games’ suppliers were based in France, with 75% of them being small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This emphasis on local procurement ensured that the economic benefits of the Games were widely distributed across the country.
Social Inclusion and Health Initiatives
In terms of social inclusion, the Games began to have a tangible impact even before they began. Paris 2024 implemented initiatives to promote physical activity among French youth, particularly in primary schools, where 30 minutes of daily exercise has been adopted as a national policy. In addition, free swimming lessons have been provided to children across the country, addressing disparities in access to sports facilities.
The Olympic Village in Seine-Saint-Denis was another key legacy project. After the Games, the Village begun conversion into a residential area that ultimately will house 6,000 people and provide jobs for another 6,000. This development is designed to meet the long-term needs of the local community, providing affordable housing, public facilities, and green spaces.
Paris 2024 has also been recognized for its efforts to promote gender equality. The Games have achieved a 50:50 gender balance in athlete participation, setting a new standard for inclusivity in international sport.
Innovation in Event Management: ISO 20121 Certification and Beyond
Paris 2024’s commitment to Sustainability was not limited to the event itself; it extended to the broader field of event management. The Organizing Committee spearheaded the revision of the ISO 20121 standard, which provided guidelines for sustainable event management. The updated standard, ISO 20121:2024, now includes criteria related to human rights, legacy impacts, and climate action. These enhancements are designed to ensure that Sustainability is integrated across all stages of event planning and that future sporting events can learn from the successes of Paris 2024.
The IOC has mandated that all future Olympic Games adopt the updated ISO 20121 standard, ensuring that Sustainability remains a core focus of the Olympic Movement for years to come.
Setting a New Standard for Sustainable Sports Events
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games represented a transformative moment in the relationship between sports and Sustainability. Through a combination of carbon reduction initiatives, responsible resource management, and a focus on long-term social and economic legacy, the Games have set a new benchmark for future events.
Paris 2024 has demonstrated that it is possible to host a spectacular international event while minimizing environmental impact and maximizing social benefits. The lessons learned from these Games will undoubtedly shape the future of sustainable event management, both within the Olympic Movement and beyond.
An Example of Sustainability Planning for Businesses, Too
Although the private sector operates on different principles than government, some of the Sustainability examples set by the Paris Olympics are available even to smaller businesses concerned with costs and profitability:
Vision and Strategic Alignment: A business that integrates Sustainability planning into its corporate vision and strategic plan can both accomplish greater Sustainability and also improve its bottom line. In fact, companies are now pursuing a Triple Bottom Line, resulting in social responsibility, environmental responsibility, and profitable growth.
Carbon Reduction. Just as the Paris Olympics built carbon reduction into all their planning, so too can a business lower its carbon footprint both locally and throughout its supply chain. This often results in long-term cost savings.
Resource Management and Waste Reduction. Reducing company waste streams lowers the cost of waste management, and smarter use of resources throughout its supply chain can also pay significant dividends.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. DEI is all about wisely using the resource of people, to build a stronger, more diverse talent pool and to increase employee loyalty and retention.
ISO Standards. For those companies that have already targeted and met ISO standards, Sustainability planning takes you beyond them. For those firms who have yet to tackle the ISO process or who aspire to B-Corp certification, Sustainability can help put them on the road to get there.
Stronger Olympic vision, stronger company vision… Sustainability is a dynamic force for tackling tomorrow.
