The Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics organizers have announced a significant reduction in the event’s carbon emissions, claiming it was far less polluting than recent Games. Despite this achievement, they stopped short of declaring the event “carbon neutral,” acknowledging the complexities of fully offsetting emissions.
On Wednesday, organizers revealed that the summer’s Games generated 1.44 million tonnes of climate-warming carbon dioxide. This figure encompasses all aspects of the event, from the food consumed by athletes and the construction of their accommodations to the flights taken by spectators and the energy used to power venues.
To put this into perspective, according to a French government carbon-impact calculator, 1.44 million tonnes of CO2 is equivalent to driving a car around the globe 182,675 times or making 898,305 return flights between Paris and New York. These staggering comparisons highlight the immense scale of emissions associated with global events like the Olympics.
Despite the substantial emissions, Paris Games organizers emphasized that they exceeded their target of halving the Olympics’ pollution footprint. They announced a 54.6 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games. This achievement signals a significant step forward in hosting more sustainable international events.
As global attention shifts to future international events, the Paris 2024 organizers’ efforts set a new benchmark for sustainability. Their approach may influence how upcoming hosts, including those in Asia, address environmental concerns while managing large-scale events. The balance between hosting world-class competitions and minimizing environmental impact continues to be a critical focus for organizers worldwide.
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Paris 2024 organizers claim event far less polluting than recent Games
cgtn.com
