The Paris 2024 Olympics have just wrapped up, setting ambitious goals to be the greenest Games in the recent history. This event serves as a compelling case study of both, the initiatives that were effective and initiatives that could have been better, offering valuable lessons on achieving environmental responsibility on a global scale.
Discover six key insights from greenest Olympics and how to apply them to green your business:
1. Proactive Planning and Material Footprint Management: Unlike previous Games where emissions were calculated post-event, Paris 2024 set a carbon budget well in advance, allocating emissions across three main categories: travel, construction, and operations. Resources and materials were meticulously planned for each venue to minimize waste, with a focus on their lifecycle from use during the Games to post-event disposal. This proactive approach ensured a more controlled and efficient use of resources.1
- Plan the emissions profile and carbon budgets for major initiatives and projects in advance. The planning exercise will help a lot in incorporating emission reduction measures.
2. Circular Economy at the Core: Paris 2024 integrated circular economy principles, using minimal new materials and ensuring long-term utility post-Games. Approximately 95% of competition venues were pre-existing or temporary. The new Aquatics Centre, for instance, was designed with a low-carbon footprint and features solar panels on its roof. It is intended for long-term use by the Seine-Saint-Denis community. Out of an estimated two million pieces of sports equipment, around three-quarters were rented or sourced from sports federations, with a similar percentage for electronic equipment such as computers and screens.2
- Plan to minimize resource use and maximize second and third-life uses of resources and materials in new projects, constructions, and initiatives.
- Rent office equipment, use refurbished furniture if possible, and consider renting out empty office spaces or floors.
3. Regenerative Urban Development: The Games catalyzed urban regeneration, particularly in the Seine-Saint-Denis area. Post-Games, the Olympic Village will be transformed into a new residential and business district, providing housing and workspaces for approximately 6,000 people.4 Significant investments were also made to clean up the River Seine, enhancing the city’s climate resilience and aiming to make the river safe for public enjoyment by 2025.5
- Collaborate with city planners and local governments to help shape the use of mixed-use areas to foster community revitalization to support long term economic and environmental goals.
4. Sustainable Catering and Waste Reduction: Paris 2024 committed to serving 13 million meals with half the carbon emissions of a typical French meal by doubling plant-based ingredients and sourcing 80% of food locally, with a quarter of it sourced within 250 km of the venue.4 Additionally, the Games were the first global event to implement reusable packaging for food and beverages, supported by a deposit return system. Spectators were encouraged to bring their own refillable containers, significantly reducing the use of single-use plastics.5
- Consider implementing “Meatless Mondays” or other designated days for a meatless menu to reduce the carbon footprint of office meals.
- Additionally, locally source food for office parties and cafeterias to minimize transportation emissions.
- Advocate use of reusable containers for food and beverages instead of disposable plastic options.
- Partner with suppliers that provide low-carbon, biodegradable cutlery, and plates to further reduce waste.
5. Sustainable Transport Solutions: With 80% of Olympic venues within 10km of the Olympic Village, travel emissions were minimized. Toyota provided over 2,600 electrified vehicles, including electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered models, reducing the overall carbon footprint by 50% compared to previous Games.6 Notably, 500 hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai cars will be integrated into Paris’s taxi fleet post-Games,7 furthering the circular economy initiatives discussed earlier.
- Minimize corporate travel by leveraging virtual meetings whenever possible.
- Invest in low-emission vehicle fleets, such as electric or hybrid vehicles.
- Encourage sustainable travel options for employees, including public transport, cycling, and remote work.
6. Commitment to Renewable Energy: Paris 2024 ran on 100% renewable energy, supported by France’s low-carbon power grid and enhanced with additional solar PV arrays. UK-based EDF provided green power certificates, with a blockchain system, Trackelec, ensuring diligent tracking and continuous supply. Notably, the Olympic torch was fueled by bio-propane, a renewable fuel derived from plant and vegetable waste, helping to shave off some emissions despite the higher cost.8
- Explore virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) to secure renewable energy for your operations.
- Invest in renewable energy infrastructure to power your facilities.
- Regularly audit your energy use to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
Stay tuned for the second edition of our blog, where we’ll dive into what could have been better at Paris 2024 and the lessons business leaders can learn from those challenges. Implementing best sustainability practices can be tough, reach out to us to learn how we can help you integrate these best practices into your business.
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