“We bought the industrial wasteland site in 2019 - it was to become the Athletes’ Village in 2024!” The further I walked through the Olympic and Paralympic Village, the more the words of Laurent Michaud, Director of the Village, seemed like utopian science fiction. I pinched myself again - ouch! - no, it was real.

Regeneration in Action: in record time, the Paris 2024 Athletes' Village was constructed as a city of the future: revitalizing a socially- and economically-disadvantaged area of the Paris! — Regeneration in Action: from pledges to action in record time, the Paris 2024 Athletes' Village was constructed as a city of the future, revitalizing a socially- and economically-disadvantaged area of Paris!

Admittedly, for me the experience was surreal on two levels: my entire being was reliving the incredible feeling when I competed in the two Olympic Games. Together with my little sister - her and I were the entire beach volleyball team representing Bulgaria - we treasured every minute we spent in the village. For us, qualifying for two Olympic Games on our own was against very long odds and a multi-generational effort to create a better life from humble beginnings.

On another level, the day I spent in the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Village with the sustainability team, felt as if someone had transported me into the future, in 2050 - when polluting coal and oil power plants would be transformed into eco-responsible, vibrant, inclusive, energy efficient, biodiverse, resilient, and multifunctional communities - things that we, in the climate and sustainability world of today, talk about as goals that are against very long odds and would take a multi-generational effort to complete. But just like in my case, the Paris 2024 team didn’t wait for 2050, they did it now! No utopia and no science fiction.

Cyril More, Alena Olsen, Sam Mattis, and Lina Taylor at the Athletes' Village with Paris 2024 Sustainability.

Sustainability tour in the Olympic & Paralympic Village

After moderating a Sports for Nature event during the Olympics, I went to visit the Athletes’ Village, where the Paris 2024 Sustainability team shared details from their initial vision to the herculean effort it took to execute the delivery of the most sustainable Games to date!

Part of my work in Paris was to highlight all of the sustainability initiatives the Paris 2024 team had undertaken, working on a report to overlay these initiatives against the scientific recommendations on how to shift entire societal systems from Systems Change Lab (SCL), a multilateral consortium of scientists, supported by the World Resource Institute and the Bezos Earth Fund, among others.

The SCL platform aggregates data from all around the world, providing the private sector, policymakers, philanthropies, investors, advocates and global leaders with insights to drive policy, investment and action for systemic change. Nobody, to my knowledge, was looking to connect the science to the actual initiatives undertaken by Paris 2024. My premise was that global events, like the Olympic and Paralympic Games, can serve as a catalyst to shift societal thinking and allow for big, audacious-but-necessary changes that otherwise may not have the political, financial, and societal support.

My work today bridges the worlds of science and corporate sustainability, helping leaders and teams apply an Olympic mindset to reaching their climate goals. The lessons from Paris provide an inspiration and a roadmap.

In the village, I was joined by Alena Olsen (USA Rugby 7’s), who had won a bronze medal earlier in the Games; USA Track & Field star Sam Mattis, having just finished his competition in discus throwing two days prior; and Paralympic gold medalist Cyril More.

Paris 2024: setting a new standard in sustainability

We’re half way through the “decisive decade,” what we do or don’t do now as humanity, will determine the fate for our generation and also, for many generations to come. Do we accept this big challenge?

The Paris 2024 team certainly rose up to the challenge, using the Olympic and Paralympic Games as the catalyst to bring a big, bold, courageous, monumental vision into reality, offering us a roadmap - from mindset to execution - to use our collective power to re-set the course of our planet on the path to regeneration.

The sheer magnitude of the event represented an immense organizational challenge, but Paris 2024 also decided - along with its entire ecosystem - to aim even higher, proposing a different framework for events, in line with the major issues of our time, for more sustainable, eco-conscious, open, equal and inclusive Games.

Below are some of the key, incredible undertakings, ranging from embedding circularity by recovering >94% of deconstruction materials and requesting suppliers to submit second-life plans before goods were purchased, to using 100% renewable energy at all competition venues and planting climate-resilient trees and plants, creating new biodiverse ecosystems to regenerate neglected areas.

Paris 2024: Facts and Figures

Reducing Carbon

A cornerstone of Paris 2024’s sustainability and carbon reduction efforts was the use of existing or temporary venues, which accounted for 95% of the total venues. The majority of the facilities used either already existed or were temporary structures that could be dismantled and reused post-Games. Only two new venues were built: the Aquatic Centre and the Olympic Village, both strategically located in the under-invested northeastern suburbs of Paris to uplift the surrounding communities. These projects have already begun delivering lasting benefits to these communities, helping to regenerate areas that have long faced economic and social challenges.

The Olympic and Paralympic Village:

Built with a 30% reduction in carbon emissions compared to typical French construction standards.
94% of materials were recovered from deconstruction.
Solar panels provided 15% of the future neighborhood’s electricity needs.
Sustainable materials such as wood from eco-managed forests and recycled plastic were used, with at least 30% of the wood sourced from France.
A geothermal cooling system replaced traditional AC, while insulated facades and cooling floors maintained a cooler indoor environment, adaptable for climate conditions projected for 2050.
The Village featured 6 hectares of green spaces, including 1.2 hectares of open ground to create cool zones and reduce building temperatures.
1,000 large trees and 8,000 shrubs and saplings, mostly native species, were planted.

Right now, the Olympic Village is being transformed into a vibrant new residential district, with 2,800 apartments, of which 25% are affordable housing, providing long-term benefits to the local population.

Australian Olympic bronze medalist and EcoAthletes Champion Rhydian Cowley spotted a hedgehog in the Village.

Photo Credit: Rhydian Cowley

The Aquatic Center

The Aquatic Centre set a new standard for sustainable design. Its 5,000m² solar farm, situated on the world’s largest hanging wooden roof, was projected to provide enough energy to power the entire building, making it a model of renewable energy use in large sports venues.

The construction also prioritized environmentally friendly materials, such as bio-sourced French wood, while the seating was crafted from recycled plastic bottle caps, underscoring the venue's commitment to circular economy principles. The concave roof was designed to naturally optimize heating and humidity control, reducing the need for mechanical air conditioning and lowering the building's overall energy consumption. Surrounding the venue, 102 trees were planted, creating green spaces that not only contribute to biodiversity but also improve local air quality. Beyond the Games, the Aquatic Centre will address a longstanding shortage of aquatic infrastructure in the area, providing future generations with a cutting-edge facility that will continue to benefit the community for decades.

Energy Efficiency

Paris 2024 used 100% locally sourced renewable energy, with all venues connected to the grid. This eliminated the need for temporary diesel generators, significantly reducing the carbon footprint.

Eiffel Tower Stadium. Photo: Personal Archive

Sustainable Transportation and Mobility

Paris 2024 took significant strides to ensure all venues were accessible by public transport, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions and promoting sustainable mobility options for the community. 100% of venues were served by public transport, with 3/4 of the venues in Ile-de-France located within 500 meters of a public transport stop.

80% of venues were located within a 10 km radius of the Olympic Village.
A network of 418 km of cycle lanes was established, including 88 km of new protected routes.
Bicycle parking was made available for spectators at all competition venues across the Île-de-France region.
The Olympic fleet saw a 37% reduction compared to previous Games, focusing on eco-friendly transport.
Electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles were used throughout the Games.

Sustainable Food Practices

The carbon footprint of meals was halved by doubling the amount of plant-based food available for spectators.

60% of sandwiches, hot and cold dishes sold at concessions was vegetarian.

80% of the total food supply sourced from France and 25% from local around competition venues (less than 250 km); zero food imported by air.

Through these initiatives, Paris 2024 aimed to encourage long-term changes in eating habits. In addition to increasing plant-based in the offering, Paris 2024 set other objectives for responsible catering such as ensuring certified food supply and reducing food waste.

Waste Reduction

A 50% reduction in single-use plastics in catering was achieved.
100% of catering equipment and infrastructure were reused post-Games.
Beverage fountains, provided by Worldwide Olympic Partner Coca-Cola, reduced plastic waste.
Spectators were encouraged to bring reusable bottles into venues, an exception to French regulations, with free drinking water points made available.
35,000 plates in the Athletes' Village restaurant, produced without a logo to facilitate their re-use.
For athletes, a “zero single-use plastic” route is highlighted across all venues to encourage them to use reusable bottles.

Commitment Circular Economy

Paris 2024 was deeply committed to circular economy, focusing on minimizing new resource use and ensuring a second life for equipment and goods. The Games carried out a detailed inventory of required and existing resources to manage their lifecycle effectively before, during, and after the event.

Impressively, a second life was secured for 90% of equipment and goods, and the total amount of furniture was reduced from 800,000 to 600,000 items. Additionally, three-quarters of the sports equipment, 75% of electronic devices, as well as stands and tents, were rented or provided by sports federations, further reducing resource consumption.

The athletes' areas featured coffee tables made from recycled shuttlecocks, poufs made from parachute canvas, and chairs made from recycled bottle tops. As for the athletes' beds, Airweave has chosen to manufacture the base frames in France from 100 percent recycled cardboard and to recycle them in France after the event.

By prioritizing sustainability at every level, Paris 2024 has left a lasting legacy, setting a benchmark for future Olympic Games and global sporting events. The Games not only celebrated athletic excellence but also underscored the importance of environmental stewardship and the power of the circular economy.

The Olympic & Paralympic Medals

The medals embody Paris 2024’s creativity with an exceptional concept: the encounter of the most coveted Games object with the iconic symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. The integration of an original piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower, placed at the heart of the medals, is a powerful message for circular economy, through the reuse of the most iconic French metal.

Alena Olsen, USA Rugby 7s, holds up her medal during the Sports for Nature event in Paris.

The gold and silver integrated into the medals for Paris 2024 are both 100% recycled and certified by the Responsible Jewelery Council, one of the main bodies monitoring good sourcing practices for gold and precious metals. The bronze medals are made from an alloy of copper, tin and zinc from the reuse of metal scraps from other productions of the Monnaie de Paris.

The Legacy

Paris 2024 has focused on bringing more sport to more people, particularly the young. The Games have helped introduce 30 minutes of daily physical activity into French primary schools, provided free swimming lessons to over 36,000 children across France, and engaged 5 million young people across eight editions of Olympic and Paralympic Week.

The Games have also generated substantial economic opportunities for their hosts. More than 181,000 people have been employed in Games-related jobs, boosting the local job market. Ninety per cent of suppliers are French, with 78 per cent being small- and medium-sized enterprises. The Games are expected to generate between EUR 6.9 and EUR 11.1 billion in economic activity within the Paris metropolitan area, significantly benefitting the local economy.

Seine-Saint-Denis – one of the poorest and youngest areas in France and the heart of Paris 2024 – stands to gain significantly from the Games, with 80 per cent of the public investment targeting the region. The Aquatics Centre, strategically located there, will be transformed after the Games into a multi-sport facility, featuring fitness areas, a climbing wall, a skatepark and more.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games represent a defining moment for international sports, setting a new global benchmark for sustainability. As the first Olympic Games to fully align with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Agenda 2020, Paris 2024 was built on a forward-thinking vision that prioritized sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and the creation of lasting legacies for host cities and communities. This strategic approach is not only transforming how the Olympic Games are organized but also underscores the increasing importance of environmental responsibility in global sporting events.

Paris 2024’s energy efficiency efforts extended beyond venue construction. All venues were connected to the local grid and powered by 100% renewable energy sourced from the region, eliminating the need for diesel generators. This reliance on solar and geothermal energy helped to significantly reduce the Games’ overall carbon footprint, setting a precedent for future international sporting events.

Sustainable mobility was another key focus. Public transport was integrated into the planning of the Games, with all venues accessible by train, metro, or bus. Three-quarters of the venues in Île-de-France were located within 500 meters of a public transport stop, reducing the need for private cars and promoting the use of eco-friendly alternatives. In addition to extensive public transport options, Paris 2024 reduced its Olympic fleet by 37% compared to previous Games and relied on electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles, provided by Toyota, for official transport. The creation of 418 kilometers of new cycle lanes, including 88 kilometers of protected routes, further supported the Games’ commitment to sustainable mobility.

Food sustainability was another priority, with the carbon footprint of meals significantly reduced by increasing the availability of plant-based options. Sixty percent of the food served during the Games was vegetarian, and 80% of the ingredients were sourced from France, with 25% coming from local producers near competition venues. The Games achieved a 50% reduction in single-use plastics, thanks to initiatives such as Coca-Cola’s beverage fountains, which minimized the need for disposable bottles. Spectators were encouraged to bring reusable bottles, and water stations were set up throughout venues to support this effort.

In line with its commitment to a circular economy, Paris 2024 meticulously managed resources to ensure the majority of materials used during the Games could be repurposed or reused. An impressive 90% of the equipment and goods used during the event will have a second life. This includes reducing the amount of furniture required from 800,000 to 600,000 items, renting three-quarters of the sports equipment, and ensuring that electronic devices, tents, and other structures are returned or repurposed. Athletes’ areas featured innovative, eco-friendly designs, including coffee tables made from recycled shuttlecocks and beds made from 100% recycled cardboard. These creative measures helped to further reduce the Games' environmental impact while showcasing the power of sustainable design.

The legacy of Paris 2024 extends far beyond sustainability initiatives. The Games were expected to generate between EUR 6.9 and EUR 11.1 billion in economic activity within the Paris metropolitan area, and more than 181,000 people have been employed in Games-related jobs. Ninety percent of the Games’ suppliers were French, with 78% being small- and medium-sized enterprises. The Games also served as a platform to promote physical activity among young people, with programs that introduced daily physical exercise into French primary schools and engaged 5 million students in Olympic and Paralympic educational initiatives.

Through its bold initiatives and unwavering commitment to sustainability, Paris 2024 has set a new global standard for future Olympic Games and international sporting events. The Games not only celebrated athletic excellence but also showcased how sustainability, innovation, and thoughtful planning can come together to create a lasting, positive impact on the environment, local communities, and the economy. The legacy of Paris 2024 will continue to inspire future generations long after the final torch is extinguished.