The 2024 Olympic Games - Will they be the most sustainable Games ever?
Paris aims to set new standards for sustainability at this year's Summer Games, through the use of renewable energy. In this newsletter, we take a closer look at some of the sustainability initiatives. We also spoke with the owner of the Green Spirit Hotels in Paris. She shares how visitors can make their visit to the 2024 Olympic Games eco-friendly and offers sustainable insider tips for sports enthusiasts.
Paris wants a modern and sustainable image
The French capital has planned a lot of innovations for the 2024 Olympic Games. For the first time, the opening ceremony on July 26 will not take place in a stadium, but as a boat parade on the Seine, allowing the city's inhabitants (400,000 are expected) to take part.
Carbon-neutral Olympics
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics set a goal of carbon neutrality and exceeded it. However, much of this was due to the coronavirus pandemic that prevented visitors from attending. Tokyo had planned to offset 4.38 million tons of CO2 but ended up offsetting "only" 1.96 million tons. Interestingly, Paris sets a goal of limiting total carbon dioxide emissions to 1.58 million tons of CO2. Again, emissions will ultimately be offset to become "climate neutral," but there are steps that are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the first place.
Proposed carbon-reduction measures for the 2024 Olympic Games:
- No new construction: 95% of the venues are already in place
- Short distances between venues.
- No new parking lots: Whenever possible, visitors are encouraged to use public transportation.
- Use of green electricity from wind and solar power (mostly)
- Construction of drinking fountains: Combined with reusable water bottles, this should reduce single-use plastic by 50%.
- Catering for athletes and spectators in stadiums will consist of local products with low meat content.
Swimming in the Seine River?
The most complex project was cleaning the Seine's water. A test run in August 2023 failed because the water was still too dirty. In March, the water was officially cleared for swimming. But people are not entirely sure. However, politicians continue to insist that there is "no plan B". Open water swimming and the triathlon are still scheduled to take place in the river - if necessary, the respective races will have to be postponed for a few days - we are curious!
In general, a clean river would be not only an attraction for the Olympics but also a lasting benefit for the people of Paris.
Getting Guests Involved
Now that the city has made some efforts, it is up to the guests to do their part to make these Olympics sustainable. That means among others using public transportation and the drinking fountains. Another important issue is accommodation.
Eco-friendly accommodation at the Green Spirit Hotels Paris.
Paris is easily accessible by train from almost any European city. So European visitors will be able to avoid flying or driving, reducing much of their personal carbon emissions. The air miles will come from those traveling from further afield.
The next big step for a sustainable stay at the Olympics is the choice of accommodation. There are three Green PearlsⓇ hotels in Paris that form the Green Spirit Hotels group, all located in the central 7th arrondissement. The sports venues, as well as famous sights such as the Eiffel Tower, are all easily accessible (in some cases within walking distance). By the way, Paris has many well-developed bike paths, so getting around by bike is also an option.
Sustainable Green PearlsⓇ Partners in Paris:
- Hotel Le Pavillon, 54, rue Saint-Dominique (Approximately 15 km from the Stade de France - accessible by Metro 13 (12 stops) without changing trains)
- Hotel Marlar, 29, Rue Malar
- Hotel Amélie, 5, Rue Amélie
Sustainable insider tips for Paris during the Olympics.
Barbara Tascijevic-Porwoll, who runs Green Spirit Hotels with her husband, offers the following tips for a sustainable stay in Paris - Olympics aside:
#1 Visit the REcyclerie
Located on an abandoned railroad track, the REcyclerie includes many organic gardening projects and is also a repair shop, café, restaurant, and cultural center.
#2 Shopping at the Saint-Ouen flea market (Clignancourt)
The Clignancourt metro station is home to the famous and huge flea market with more than 1,700 vendors on Saturdays (8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), Sundays (10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and Mondays (10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). "Always an experience," says the Paris hotel owner. The flea market is made up of 16 different markets and offers good street food as well as second-hand clothes and antiques.
#3 Ile aux Cygnes workout
For sports enthusiasts, Barbara recommends the Ile aux Cygnes. Located behind the Eiffel Tower, the island offers various running laps and plenty of sports equipment for a street workout.
#4 A run along the Seine
The banks of the Seine are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to the United Nations, it symbolizes the relationship between the population and the river and is considered a model for urban development worldwide. The different visual axes with many Gothic buildings make the banks of the Seine particularly attractive to visit. In addition to green oases, cafes, and boats, there is also an almost 10-kilometer-long running track.
#5 Harvest from Europe's largest urban farm
Europe's largest urban farm is open to visitors from April to September. Located on the rooftops of the Paris Exhibition Center, it is a prime example of sustainable urban development. A guided tour lasts one hour and includes time to pick vegetables or fruit for yourself.
#6 Vegetarian food at the Polichinelle
For a sustainable meal, Barbara recommends the buffet at Polichinelle near the Eiffel Tower. "The buffet is very creative and original," she enthuses. It is "so tasty and delicious" that even non-vegetarians (like her husband) are guaranteed to be satisfied.
For more information and images of Green Spirit Hotels, please visit press@greenpearls.com