The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are set to be the greenest in history with a slew of measurements put in place to reduce carbon emissions from the events.
One of the main goals of the events is to ‘halve the emissions arising in relation to the Games, while offsetting even more CO2 emissions than we will generate’ according to a statement sent to Vegan Food & Living.
Part of the Paris team’s bid was to make the games greener, which it pledged to do by building ‘hardly any new buildings’, and by putting major efforts into the food that will be served to athletes, workers, and visitors.
Among the food measures being put into place, is a target to halve the average carbon footprint of the 13 million meals served over the four weeks.
In addition, organisers have pledged to cut single-use plastic by half, to have 80 per cent of the products sourced locally or within France, and reduce food waste and recover 100 percent of unconsumed resources.
Furthermore, doubling the amount of vegetables and plant-based protein on plates will help halve the carbon footprint of meals.
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One of the measures being taken to ensure greener games is the reduction of single-use plastics. Photo © wachiwit via Adobe Stock
‘Food vision’
According to Paris 2024 organisers, the event’s food vision ‘prioritises quality, taste and experience, and purity of products’.
It was created in collaboration with a number of experts, following ‘extensive consultations’ with representative groups across France and the entire agri-food sector.
Over an 18-month period, some 120 organisations – ranging from agriculture and catering to NGOs and nutritionists, as well as Paris 2024 partners – discussed the plans.
In addition, organisers also ‘conducted 40 individual interviews and 10 group workshops on integrating sustainability at every stage, from food and drink supply and preparation to surplus management’.
Furthermore, 200 athletes (80 per cent of them foreign) were also surveyed to ‘explore their eating habits, cultural needs and tastes’.
According to organisers: “The vast majority of the athletes (98 per cent) are ‘concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ by the social and environmental impacts of their diet.”
Some of France’s top chefs have been selected to turn the vision into reality.
“Thierry Marx sits on the Paris 2024 Organising Committee leading the Games’ ecological transformation, while Amandine Chaignot, Akrame Benallal and Alexandre Mazzia will oversee the Paris 2024 food vision in ‘the largest restaurant in the world’ in the Olympic and Paralympic Village,” say organisers.
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Offering more plant-based foods is expected to slash carbon emissions of meals by half. Photo © CHZU via Adobe Stock
Paris 2024
Marie Sallois, the IOC’s Director for Sustainability, said: “France certainly knows how to welcome the world to its table.
“The Games organisers are laser focused on showcasing French food that is sourced, produced and consumed in a responsible way.
“We hope that this approach will go beyond helping reduce the Games’ footprint, raising the bar for sustainable catering at sports events and beyond.”
Etienne Thobois, Paris 2024 Chief Executive Officer, added: “Serving 13 million meals in four weeks at over 40 sites is going to be the largest event catering operation in the world.
“It’s an immense operational challenge.
“For France, it’s an opportunity to showcase our expertise at every step of the chain – production, logistics, preparation, service and waste management.”
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Serving millions of meals sustainably will be no mean feat. Photo © Stephen Davies via Adobe Stock
Other events
Thierry Marx hopes Paris 2024 can ‘provide a more responsible food model for other major sporting and cultural events’.
He said: “The Games are enabling us to bring together the entire food ecosystem around a vision for catering that is sustainable from an environmental and social point of view.
“It is a unique opportunity to support the food transition in a positive way by proving that what is good for our health and the planet is also good to eat!
“With more plants on our plates, as well as more local and seasonal products and greater responsibility throughout the entire supply chain, Paris 2024 isn’t just setting out specifications – it’s presenting several opportunities for us all to seize.'”
Are you keen to make some easy switches and reduce your carbon footprint? Try these vegan seitan recipes so good even meat-eaters will love them
Featured photo © Iliya Mitskavets via Adobe Stock
