How can sports events become climate neutral?
Olympics seminar
The topic of how sports events can become climate neutral was discussed at the Sweden Arena in Paris during the Olympics. The seminar was a joint effort by the Swedish Olympic Committee, the Swedish embassy in France and KTH Climate Action Centre, and was followed by a reception with his Majesty the King of Sweden. Moderator was Karin Larsdotter from KTH Climate Action Centre.
Sports organisations worldwide have signed the UN Sports for Climate Action declaration. Paris 2024 has successfully improved the sustainability and climate performance compared to previous Olympics. Renewable energy, few new buildings and access to venues via public transport are some examples from their low carbon strategy (links to all reports below).
A seminar, moderated by Karin Larsdotter from KTH Climate Action Centre, provided many different perspectives on the topic. Insights from the French strategy was shared by the Ambassador of Sports Samuel Ducroquet. Olympian and former athlete Johan Wissman gave the athletes’ perspective, and Mikael Gunnarzon shared the sustainability strategies of the Swedish Olympic Committee. Louise-Eglantine Guillaume presented sustainability projects at the sponsor Uniqlo. KTH researcher Jonas Åkerman presented figures on carbon emissions from different transport modes, how much less we need to fly in order to meet the climate goals, and explained the risks with carbon offsetting (which Paris 2024 uses to compensate for remaining emissions). Ann Legeby, KTH, shared what is needed in order to decrease the emissions from transports for exercise and training. Results from KTH researchers Anna Björklund and Hampus André showed that travelling abroad is by far the largest source of emissions for cyclists, compared to equipment and clothes.
The seminar was recorded and will be published later.