This Is How the IOC and the Olympic Games Are Addressing Climate Change

Feb 10, 2020 8:00 AM ET

SUSTAINABILITY IS CENTRAL TO THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT’S VISION OF “BUILDING A BETTER WORLD THROUGH SPORT”

THE IOC IS FULLY COMMITTED TO HELPING THE WORLD ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is affecting the environment and most human activities. Sport is no exception. Unreliable snow and temperatures impact winter sports, while increasing summer heat threatens the health of athletes, event organisers and fans.

THE IOC IS A CARBON-NEUTRAL ORGANISATION

Thanks to our Official Carbon Partner Dow, the IOC’s estimated carbon emissions between 2017 and 2020 have already been offset.
Our new headquarters in Lausanne, Olympic House, is the world’s most sustainable building in its category.
Our vehicle fleet includes eight hydrogen cars. A hydrogen station installed at Olympic House supplies them with hydrogen sourced from renewable energy sources.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES AND YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES TO MAKE THE GAMES SUSTAINABLE

Sustainability requirements are in the Host City Contract – Operational Requirements, covering venues, food and beverage, and sourcing. We work closely with the Organising Committees to help them implement these requirements.

LAUSANNE 2020

No new venues were built specifically for the Games.
Athletes, coaches, staff and media are using public transport to get to and from events.
The Lausanne 2020 cauldron is powered by eco-friendly Swiss wood pellets.
Speed skating, bobsleigh, skeleton and luge are taking place on natural ice for the first time at the YOG.
The YOG have been adapted to the local context and not the other way around.

UPCOMING OLYMPIC GAMES

Tokyo 2020 is aiming for carbon neutrality.
Olympic Partner Toyota will provide zero-emission vehicles, including hydrogen cars, for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic fleet.
For Beijing 2022, all venues will be powered by renewable energy.
Paris 2024 is on track to becoming carbon-neutral.
For LA 2028, all venues already exist.

THE IOC SUPPORTS SPORTS ORGANISATIONS WITHIN THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE

In 2018, with UN Climate Change, we launched the Sports for Climate Action Framework. Its aim is to develop an agenda for sport to address climate change. Almost 100 sports organisations joined the framework within the first year of its launch.
As part of the UN Clean Seas initiative, we are working with the Olympic Movement to address plastic pollution. We supported Olympic champion Hannah Mills in the launch of her Big Plastic Pledge campaign, which unites athletes against plastic pollution.