Paris 2024 claims it halved its carbon footprint for a 'more responsible' Olympic Games

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🗞️ Driving the news: Paris 2024 claims to have achieved its goal of halving the carbon footprint of the Olympic Games compared to previous editions
• The Organizing Committee reports a carbon footprint of 1.59 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent (teqCO2), a 54.6% reduction from the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games
• However, emissions from spectator travel—accounting for 53% of the total footprint—were underestimated

🔭 The context: This is the first Games to set a “carbon budget,” capped at 1.58 million teqCO2, aiming for a more sustainable model
• The Tokyo 2021 Games were excluded from comparisons due to its pandemic-driven lack of spectators
• Paris 2024 implemented initiatives like eco-friendly infrastructure and reduced reliance on new construction to meet its climate targets

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The success of the Paris 2024 Games in reducing its carbon footprint could set a benchmark for future global sporting events
• However, underestimating spectator travel emissions highlights the challenge of fully addressing indirect impacts
• This underscores the need for more comprehensive strategies to align with global climate goals

⏭️ What's next: Organizers face scrutiny over the accuracy of their carbon accounting and must refine methods to better address indirect emissions
• Future host cities may adopt and expand on Paris 2024’s initiatives
• Broader discussions on sustainable practices in global events are expected to gain momentum

💬 One quote: “Delivering a ‘historic Games for the climate’ is not just about bold promises but also acknowledging and addressing blind spots like travel emissions,” - a sustainability expert

📈 One stat: 53% of the Games' total carbon footprint, or 833,600 teqCO2, came from spectator travel

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