Paris 2024 reaffirmed Saturday its commitment to deliver a sustainable Olympic Games as the Paris Agreement, a global climate action deal adopted unanimously by 195 countries at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) comes into effect.
Friday evening the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the banks of the River Seine, famous Parisian landmarks that play a key role in the Paris 2024 city centre Games plan, were illuminated green marking the historic occasion in the fight against global warming.
Since the deal was adopted in December 2015, Paris 2014 has reportedly launched several initiatives to create a greener, more sustainable environment in the heart of the city, including the implementation of 700 charging stations for electric cars, the regeneration of 55,000 square metres of urban land in the centre of the city to be converted into green space, the pedestrianization of 3.3 km of the right bank of the River Seine, creating a promenade for walking, jogging and cycling, creating an environmental charter implemented at major events such as the Euro 2016 football championships, and offering 5,000 trees to residents who have sufficient garden space to cultivate them.
Paris 2024 launched an Environmental Excellence Committee earlier this year, made up of 24 highly qualified individuals that are making significant contributions to the development of the bid. Led by the Environmental Excellence Committee, Paris 2024 is aiming to be carbon neutral, while also working to become the first ever Olympic bod to obtain the ISO 20121 sustainable certificate.
In June Paris was named Global Earth Hour Capital 2016 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), following an announcement by Paris 2024 about a strategic partnership with WWF France to ensure the bid and the city’s Games Plan implements best practice in sustainability.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group said of the occasion “I am proud of the leading role that Paris is playing in the global fight against climate change and we will continue to encourage and promote sustainable innovation across all areas of society.”
“The Paris 2024 Games Plan is totally aligned with the long-term environmental aspirations of our city and country and we are committed to working collaboratively to deliver a spectacular Olympic and Paralympic Games that supports impactful green initiatives and has a lasting positive effect on the way people live.”
Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 Co-Chairman and a member of the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission said, “the Paris Agreement is a landmark moment in the global fight against climate change and sport must play its part.”
“Sustainability is in the DNA of the Paris 2024 bid and we are firmly committed to delivering a pioneering green Games that helps to inspire climate action in Paris, France and across the world.
“Our dedication in this area is reflected in the fact that 95 per cent of our competition venues already exist or are temporary structures and our vision for the athletes’ and media villages includes a plan to create a new ‘Eco City’ with 5,000 innovative and environmentally sensitive homes for local people once the Games have finished.”
Paris is competing against Budapest and Los Angeles to host the 2024 Games; the winning city will be elected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on September 13, 2017.
