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More than Sports: The Olympics and Sustainability
According to a recent JLL article, hosting large-scale, global events can be a boon to a city. However, it can also generate high levels of carbon emissions, especially when updating infrastructure and developing and/or renovating buildings. “Large-scale projects can consume immense resources and leave a negative lasting legacy in terms of their carbon footprint unless they’re designed with sustainability in mind from the start,” said Juliette Medana, Head of Sustainability Consulting—EMEA at JLL.
Organizers of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris focused on low-carbon approaches to construction, transport and operations activities, supporting sustainable development. The article explained that 95% of the event structure already exists or is temporary and is % powered by all renewable energy.
Two permanent structures are new but were developed sustainably. The athletes’ accommodation and aquatic center used wood as their primary material. Low-carbon cement and salvaged materials have helped decrease carbon emissions by 30% compared to traditional construction. The accommodation is also designed to protect against urban heat islands and climate change impacts.
Once the Olympics end, the aquatic center will remain, while the athletes’ accommodation will be part of a mixed-use development that will add housing and office space.
The article pointed out that additional large-scale projects are relying on sustainable methods. For example:
- Hudson Yards in New York City features low-impact buildings, stormwater recycling systems and greenspaces to support biodiversity.
- British Land’s redevelopment of Canada Water in London has an all-electric energy strategy, cement-free concrete and office and retail space certified under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM).
- Barangaroo, a mixed-use waterfront entertainment center in Sydney, Australia, is a carbon-neutral district. It features a cooling plant that pumps water from Sydney Harbor to absorb waste heat from buildings and then returns the water to the harbor.
Even as more large-scale projects consider sustainability, obstacles remain. One issue is that administrative processes for such projects can take a long time. Furthermore, a lack of eco-friendly materials can be a problem. Experts quoted in the article suggested adopting new building practices to coordinate a holistic approach. Another idea is to establish new supply chains for sustainable materials and transportation.
- ◦Development
- ◦Policy/Gov't
