The organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympics have promised that these games will be the greenest in history. They plan to run entirely on renewable energy, serve mostly locally grown food, and drastically reduce single-use plastic, which has been a major issue in previous Olympics.
Observers see the Paris Olympics as a test for whether large sporting events, often criticised for their environmental impact, can truly become more sustainable.
“With the right planning, major sports events like the Olympics and the Football World Cup can show how we can live in harmony with nature,” said Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Gardner, who is on the International Olympic Committee’s Sustainability and Legacy Committee, highlighted the role sports can play in countering environmental decline. “Human activities are putting enormous pressure on ecosystems, leading many species towards extinction due to nature loss, climate change, and pollution,” she said.
She explained that while governments and businesses need to take significant actions, sports federations also have a role. They should aim to do no harm to the environment and inspire a movement for nature among their millions of followers.
Gardner mentioned the “Sport for Nature” initiative, which has a four-point plan: conserving nature, restoring lost ecosystems, promoting sustainable practices, and engaging fans and players in environmental efforts.
Sports federations are already making strides. The International Olympic Committee has integrated sustainability into the Olympics, and Paris officials have launched a $1.5 billion project to clean the Seine River. World Rugby has also developed a 10-point plan for nature, shared with clubs across Europe and the Pacific.
The Sport for Climate Action movement, supported by the UN, has helped many sports reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Sports officials are encouraged to incorporate natural elements into venues and design training grounds that support native species.
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“Nature can be an ally in sustaining sports,” Gardner concluded. “We need everyone, including the sports world, to work together to protect our ecosystems.”
