Paris Olympics: with 365 days to go, will this mega-event clinch a sustainability gold medal?
This is perhaps because when we think about environmental sustainability, we tend to weigh up how individuals, households, or even industries might be polluting the planet.
- This is perhaps because when we think about environmental sustainability, we tend to weigh up how individuals, households, or even industries might be polluting the planet.
- However, mega-events are striking examples of the complex phenomenon of sustainability, mostly due to the impact of collective behaviour on the environment.
- Host cities and organisations typically look to draw attention on the intended positive outcomes, including economic benefits and fan satisfaction.
The challenges of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games
- As problematic as the Qatar World Cup was, organising the Olympic Games is perhaps even more challenging.
- Even without the Olympics, Paris holds the title of the most-visited city in the world, bringing with it many sustainability-related challenges.
- The question then becomes, how can the Olympic Games in Paris be more sustainable?
The “sustainable games” plan
- Such ambitions are inherently paradoxical, in that they can create socio-economic value even while destroying environmental value.
- Yet, the plan provides few specifics such as dates or further operational details, with some decisions still in the process of being taken.
- To achieve this goal, Paris 2024 is applying what is called the ARO approach, which is an abbreviation to avoid, reduce and offset.
- It will serve to inform employees and participants and help them measure and slash their personal and professional carbon footprint.
- The initiatives, designed by a dedicated committee of nine experts and government representatives, are extensively explained in a report.
From plan to reality
- Although the sustainability plan is innovative, ambitious, and promising, greenwashing has been seen in other recent mega-events.
- Expectations are not facts until the Paris Olympic Games are over, of course, and to this date, most of the activities are nothing but plans.
- According to the organisers, 13 million tickets are expected to be sold and 4 billion television viewers should watch the event.