The 2024 Olympic Games are starting today in Paris. These games have attracted the attention of the whole world. It has been claimed that the Paris Olympics 2024 will be the most eco-friendly Games ever. The organizing committee is determined to halve the carbon emissions normally generated by hosting the Olympics. Tokyo 2020, Rio 2016 and London 2012 all produced an average of 3.5 million tonnes of carbon each time they hosted the Olympics. The organizing committee now aims to reduce this emission to half i.e. around 1.75 tonnes.
Climate Change and the Olympics
The world is currently in a state of emergency due to climate change. Human emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) appear to be causing the problem of climate change. The organization of events like the Olympics causes huge emissions of greenhouse gases. Therefore, if the environment is not taken care of in such events, it is futile. Keeping this in mind, efforts are being made to organize the Olympics in an environment-friendly manner with minimum carbon emissions.
Apart from that, if the message of saving the environment is given in such sports events organized at the global level, more strength can be gained to fight climate change. Madeleine Orr, assistant professor of sports ecology at the University of Toronto, told The Indian Express, “Mega-events like the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup require massive public investment. So they should organize these games keeping in mind the public interest.” She further said, “Such large scale projects should further reduce their large carbon footprint. On the one hand the world is facing climate issues, on the other hand it is important to demonstrate the importance of the environment through such large scale events.”
Efforts to Green the Paris 2024 Olympics
The Paris 2024 Olympics are using more and more renewable energy sources. It also includes geothermal and solar energy. Along with this, many climate friendly actions are being implemented.
catering
The Paris 2024 Olympics will promote plant-based, local and sustainable foods. Because – According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, meat and dairy products account for 18 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. After the Olympics, all the infrastructure used for food production will be recycled.
Communication
Public transport is easily available to reach most of these Olympic venues. A special service will also be provided for communication for tourists in Paris. Paris has also developed over 1,000 km of bicycle lanes. 3000 bicycles will be made available on rent to move around the city during the games.
Construction and erection
Eight new venues were created for the 2012 London Olympics; 11 new venues were created for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In Paris, however, 95 percent of events will be held in existing buildings or temporary infrastructure for this year’s event. In Paris, the only Aquatics Center in Saint-Denis will be newly built. This aquatics center is also solar powered. The construction industry is also a major emitter of greenhouse gases. It accounts for 37 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions.
Accommodation
Paris has a high temperature right now. So the organizers have to install 2500 temporary cooling units for the comfort of the players. The accommodation of the players has been arranged in a very simple manner. The mattresses they will be given to sleep on will be made from recycled fishing nets. Furniture required during the games will also not be purchased; So it’s going to be a rental. After the Olympics, this furniture will be used again for other purposes. 2,800 new apartments in the Olympic Village will be converted into homes after the event.
… still not 100 percent eco-friendly
15 thousand athletes will participate in Paris Olympics. 45 thousand volunteers will be deployed for their comfort. 26 thousand employees of the media sector will report on this project. More than 10 million tourists are expected to visit Paris to watch the Olympic Games. This means air travel is also going to increase massively. All this means is that the Paris Olympics will result in massive greenhouse gas emissions.
