Paris Olympics 2024: Athletes to be kept cool without air conditioning in sustainability drive

The organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympics are promising to make the event more sustainable, with a goal of reducing emissions by half compared to the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. They are aiming to use existing or temporary infrastructure for 95% of their needs, reduce the use of energy and resources, and use renewable energy sources where possible. They also plan to offset emissions that cannot be reduced in order to make the Games “climate positive”. However, environmental activists are critical of the use of carbon offsetting and say that the most sustainable event is the one that does not take place. Organizers are also looking into ways to keep the Athletes Village cool without air conditioning and the site will be transformed into a zero-carbon residential and commercial neighborhood following the Games. Although the Paris Olympics are making efforts to be more sustainable, there are still criticisms from environmental activists who recommend reducing the size and scope of the event and using independent standards of sustainability.