Paris 2024 presents advance in its low carbon strategy

Paris 2024 has set itself the goal of reducing the carbon footprint of the Games compared to previous editions. Developments regarding the climate commitments will be presented before the start of the tournament.

Paris 2024 is convinced that major sports events must assume their responsibilities in the face of climate change. To reduce the Games’ impact on the climate, it has adopted an approach that offers a radical departure from that of previous major sports events, moving from a post-event assessment of its carbon footprint with offsetting activities to the pre-Games definition of a carbon impact reduction target and strategy.

The Stade de France is the largest venue at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The Stade de France is the largest venue at the 2024 Olympic Games. Image: F. Aguilhon

To measure its objective of halving the carbon footprint of the Games, Paris 2024 has chosen to take into account all the carbon emissions of the event (scopes 1, 2 and 3), both direct and indirect, including spectator travel. Excluding Tokyo 2020, which was held without spectators, the average carbon footprint of the most recent editions of the Games is 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (teqCO2).

To control, reduce and reassess its carbon emissions throughout the run-up to the Games, Paris 2024 has surrounded itself with climate experts within its Ecological Transformation Committee. Supported by specialist outside companies trained in the Bilan Carbon® method, Paris 2024 has developed a method and a tool that now includes nearly 10,000 pieces of data.

Ahead of the Games, the tool estimated the carbon footprint of the Paris 2024 Games at 1.58 million teqCO2, even lower than the target of 1.75 million teqCO2. The entire Paris 2024 Games ecosystem is designed with this ambitious goal in mind. With less than a month to go before the Games, all the actions taken to avoid, reduce and control carbon emissions are helping to keep Paris 2024 on track.

Initial carbon assessment for the 2018-2023 period

While all the detailed results, including actual data from the event, will be published in autumn 2024, an initial carbon assessment for the 2018-2023 period has been carried out with the support of a specialist firm in accordance with the international reporting standard – the GHG Protocol – and the IOC’s carbon footprint methodology. During this five-year period, Games preparations generated 476,000 teqCO2, three-quarters of which resulted from the construction and renovation of permanent infrastructure carried out under the supervision of Solideo, which will be left as a legacy after the Games. The other quarter was generated by Paris 2024 operations.

The medals have also become more sustainable; they are made from the metal of the Eiffel Tower.
The medals have also become more sustainable; they are made from the metal of the Eiffel Tower. Image: PARIS 2024


Taking these actual emissions (476,000 teqCO2 between 2018 and 2023) into account, the estimated carbon footprint of the Games has been updated, while current and future emissions have been re-estimated in line with the latest information. These calculations confirm that the ambitious target set in 2019 to reduce the Games’ carbon footprint is on track to be met in relation to emissions from construction and operations, which account for two-thirds of the total emissions initially estimated.

Actions to reduce carbon emissions across all parts of the organisation

Paris 2024 is on course to meet this objective thanks to the measures to avoid, reduce and control carbon emissions that were initially defined and that have been implemented in all areas of Games organisation:

  • Construction: In order to limit carbon emissions linked to new construction sites, 95% of the infrastructure being used for the Paris 2024 Games is either temporary or already in existence. Solideo has also used low-carbon construction techniques (wooden frames, low-carbon concrete and recycled materials in particular) that reduce emissions per square metre in the Athletes’ Village by 30%, for example. Over the buildings’ entire life cycle, Solideo's results show a 47% reduction in carbon impact compared with conventional construction projects.
  • Energy: All the Games venues are connected to the electricity grid thanks to the work of Enedis, Official Supporter of the Paris 2024 Games, in order to limit the use of diesel generators that are usually used at such events. These permanent facilities will benefit post-Games events by reducing their carbon footprint. EDF, Premium Partner of the Paris 2024 Games, will supply the grid with electricity from renewable sources (solar and wind). This model will reduce Paris 2024’s energy-related carbon emissions by 80% compared with the traditional sports event model.
  • Catering: Key measures to halve the carbon impact of the 13 million meals and snacks that will be served during the Games include doubling the use of plant-based food and halving the amount of single-use plastic compared with the London 2012 Games, increasing local and seasonal sourcing, and fighting food waste, showing that a different event catering model is possible.
  • Transport in France: All the competition venues can be reached by public transport and those in Ile-de-France will be accessible by bike thanks to 415km of cycle paths and secure bicycle parking facilities. To meet the needs of the Olympic and Paralympic family, Paris 2024 is providing a fleet of light electric, renewable hydrogen and hybrid vehicles with its partner Toyota. Paris 2024 has also chosen to reduce the number of vehicles by a third compared with the average of previous Games by optimising and pooling vehicle use.
  • Equipment: 90% of the 6 million pieces of equipment used will be given a second life by the Games service providers and partners. More circular Games for less impact.
  • IT: 70% of the IT equipment used during the Games will be leased, and it will all be used after the Games. The most popular consumer applications have also been eco-designed.

The adidas arena has been reopened and is also the venue for the games.
The adidas arena has been reopened and is also the venue for the games. Image: adidas

One-third of total estimated carbon emissions are transport-related

One-third of the total estimated carbon emissions of the Games are linked to athlete and spectator travel. This estimate is based on travel directly attributable to the Games, i.e. journeys made by ticket- and accreditation-holders. The number and geographical origin of spectators will only be known after all tickets have been sold, and the modes of transport they use to travel to France only after the Games are over.
The Olympic Village was built with sustainability in mind.<br />Image: Drone press – SOLIDEO

The Olympic Village was built with sustainability in mind.
Image: Drone press – SOLIDEO
Paris 2024 continues to call on all visitors to the Games (officials, partners, athletes, media, spectators and volunteers) to help it meet its climate objective by using low-carbon modes of transport to travel to France and the least carbon-intensive methods of travel once they arrive. This strategy is already bearing fruit among the delegations of neighbouring countries, with Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Switzerland announcing that their athletes will travel to France by train.

Alongside its ambition to reduce the carbon emissions of the Games, Paris 2024 has developed a funding programme for projects aimed at avoiding and capturing carbon emissions, which will aim to offset unavoidable Games-related emissions.

In line with recommendations on so-called ‘carbon offsetting’ projects and in agreement with ADEME (the French agency for ecological transition), Paris 2024 has chosen to no longer use the term ‘carbon neutrality’. Nevertheless, it remains convinced that the financing of projects to combat climate change must continue. (stadiaworld, 10.07.2024)