Sustainability in sports is gaining momentum as organizations and events increasingly recognize their environmental impact and strive for greener practices. Recent initiatives are looking back on past major sporting events and are aiming to see more improvements. In the midst of the Euro 2024 football tournament, and looking ahead to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, there is a clear commitment to reducing carbon footprints, promoting renewable energy, and integrating sustainable practices.

Euro 2024: Leading the Way

UEFA and the German Football Federation (DFB) have committed to making Euro 2024 the most sustainable European championship ever. At COP 28, UEFA unveiled a 32 million-euro environmental strategy for the tournament, emphasizing sustainability across venues and operations. Despite all matches being hosted in Germany, around 80% of the event's carbon footprint is expected to come from transport, with 2.7 million tickets available and an estimated seven million additional visitors expected in fan zones.

To reduce environmental impact, UEFA is subsidizing Interrail passes and offering affordable rail tickets between host cities, aiming to divert fans from budget airlines. Deutsche Bahn plans to add 10,000 extra seats on high-speed trains during match days, while car parking will be restricted. DFB has structured the tournament schedule to minimize team travel and requires emission-saving plans from participating teams, encouraging the use of low-emission vehicles.

Environmental NGOs have urged sustainable travel practices, emphasizing the importance of setting a positive example as hosts. Germany's stadiums, already energy-efficient, will further reduce emissions through measures like limited floodlight use and renewable energy usage. Sustainable practices include offering vegetarian options and reusable cups at stadiums and public viewing areas.

Despite not branding the event as climate neutral, UEFA will offset unavoidable CO2 emissions by contributing to a Climate Fund, supporting German amateur clubs in energy, water, waste management, and mobility initiatives. This approach aims to mitigate the tournament's environmental impact and set a precedent for future sports events. (Clean Energy Wire)

A Look Back on the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics aimed to set a precedent for sustainable venue legacy, guided by principles outlined in the Olympic Charter. The strategic spatial distribution of venues across Beijing and Zhangjiakou focused on utilizing existing infrastructure and natural terrain to minimize environmental impact and maximize long-term benefits. Of the 41 venues used, 9 were repurposed from the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. This approach not only reduced the need for new construction but also integrated Olympic facilities into the broader urban fabric, ensuring continued use post-Games.

The Beijing and Zhangjiakou zones were strategically chosen based on their natural advantages for winter sports, such as ample snow and suitable terrain. These venue were designed with a polycentric layout that facilitated efficient event management and post-Olympic legacy planning. This spatial strategy not only supported the operational needs of the Games but also aimed to leave behind enduring socio-economic benefits for the local communities.

Furthermore, Beijing 2022 incorporated comprehensive sustainability practices across its planning and operations, aligning with global efforts to integrate environmental stewardship into major sporting events. This included strict environmental assessments and the adoption of green technologies to mitigate ecological impacts. By leveraging existing infrastructure and regional strengths, Beijing 2022 demonstrated a model for future Olympic hosts to follow. (Frontiers)

Paris 2024 Olympics: Setting a New Standard

Now, Paris 2024 is also setting out to host the most sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games yet, guided by a strategy endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The organizing committee aims to halve the carbon footprint of previous Games, which have historically emitted an average of 3.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This commitment is underpinned by their AAROM approach—anticipate, avoid, reduce, offset, and mobilize—focusing on energy efficiency, renewable sources, and innovative technologies to minimize environmental impact.

Incorporating sustainability into the Olympics can significantly reduce hosting costs. Downsizing the event reduces the ecological and material footprint, minimizing the need for new infrastructure and cutting down transportation emissions. Rotating the Olympics among a set of cities with existing infrastructure further slashes costs and reduces social and ecological disruption. Enforcing stronger accountability and transparency standards, coupled with the exclusive use of renewable energy sources, can drive down expenses associated with energy consumption. Additionally, encouraging spectators to watch the event remotely rather than traveling can dramatically reduce overall emissions and costs. (Earth Day)

Venue sustainability is a key pillar, with 95% of venues planned as existing or temporary structures to limit new construction and employ low-carbon building practices where necessary. The Olympic Aquatics Centre exemplifies this approach with its extensive use of rooftop solar panels and seating made from locally recycled plastic. Post-Games, the Olympic Village will be repurposed into a residential and business hub in Seine-Saint-Denis, illustrating a commitment to leave a lasting positive legacy for the host community. Transportation is another critical aspect of Paris 2024's sustainability efforts, with over 80% of venues located within 10 kilometers and accessible by public transport. This strategy aims to reduce athlete transport emissions by 40% compared to previous Games, facilitated by Toyota's provision of electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Sustainable catering is also prioritized, with plans to serve 13 million meals featuring significantly increased plant-based ingredients and sourced locally to minimize carbon footprint. Paris 2024 further aims to cut single-use plastics by 50% compared to past Games and ensure all catering infrastructure is reusable post-event, demonstrating a comprehensive commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices. (CBC News)

Conclusion

In conclusion, sustainability in sports is rapidly gaining momentum as major events and organizations increasingly prioritize environmental responsibility. Euro 2024, organized by UEFA and the DFB, exemplifies this trend with a robust 32 million-euro environmental strategy. By emphasizing sustainable travel, energy-efficient stadiums, and carbon offsetting, Euro 2024 aims to set a new benchmark for environmental stewardship in sports. Likewise, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics demonstrated innovative sustainability practices by repurposing existing infrastructure and carefully managing natural resources. This approach not only minimized environmental impact but also aimed to leave a lasting legacy of sustainable urban development for Beijing and Zhangjiakou. Looking forward, Paris 2024 is ambitiously striving to host the most sustainable Games yet, aiming to improve economically, cut previous carbon footprints in half, and prioritize eco-friendly venue construction and transportation solutions.

These efforts underscore a growing recognition within the sporting community of the importance of environmental stewardship and the potential for major sporting events to lead by example in fostering sustainable practices globally.

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