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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on the Financial Times or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The Paris 2024 Olympics aims to be the greenest in history, featuring eco-friendly innovations like a cooling system using the Seine’s currents and low-carbon building materials
• Organizers are working under a strict carbon budget to halve emissions compared to the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games
🔭 The context: Paris 2024 has minimized new construction, focusing on sustainable materials and techniques
• Only one new sports venue was built, with the athletes' village designed to be converted into housing post-Games
• The event aligns with the Paris Agreement’s climate goals, emphasizing sustainability
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Hosting the Olympics with a reduced carbon footprint sets a powerful example for future large-scale events
• This initiative highlights the potential for integrating sustainability in major global events, addressing climate change and promoting renewable energy use
⏭️ What's next: The organizers are powering the Games with 100% renewable energy and minimizing food emissions by sourcing 80% of ingredients from within France
• Challenges remain, particularly with spectator travel emissions, which the organizers are addressing by encouraging alternatives to air travel
💬 One quote: "Each director of the different aspects of the Olympics is responsible for working with their teams to cut emissions and to stick to that.” – Georgina Grenon, Director of Environmental Excellence, Paris 2024
📈 One stat: The athletes' village was built with 30% fewer emissions per square meter compared to similar structures using fewer climate-friendly methods
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