NAIROBI: Organisers of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 promised they would be the greenest in history.

Among other things, organisers say the games will run entirely on renewable energy, feature mostly locally grown food and cut-down on the massive amount of single-use plastic that plagued previous Olympics.

Observers say the games will be a litmus test for whether the world’s biggest sporting events, which have been criticised for their impact on the environment, can truly deliver on promises to be more sustainable.

‘With the right planning, major sports events like the Olympics and Football World Cup can serve as a shining example of how humanity can live in harmony with nature,’ said Susan Gardner, the Director of the Ecosystems Division of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Gardner, who serves on the International Olympic Committee’s Sustainability and Legacy Committee, spoke about how sports can help to counter the rapid decline of the natural world.

”Right now, human activities are putt
ing ecosystems under enormous pressure, with a growing number of species facing the prospect of extinction from the impacts of nature loss, climate change and pollution.

ping this crisis will take a concerted effort from many big actors, like governments and businesses. But sports federations have a role to play, too. At a minimum, they have an obligation to do no harm to the environment. At their best they can help inspire a new movement for nature, and encourage their billions of followers to protect and restore the planet,” she further said.

On how sports can help counter the nature crisis, Gardner replied:”Sport for Nature has a simple, four-point plan that focuses on conserving nature, restoring what has been lost, reducing the drawdown on nature through more sustainable procurement, and inspiring players and fans to get involved. It does these things in a combination of ways, including by providing sports with resources, and hosting events and webinars.”

Sustainability is becoming increasingly imp
ortant for sports, she said, noting that many sports federations have begun to take concrete steps to lighten their footprint on nature. A prime example is the International Olympic Committee, which has developed a plan to embed sustainability into the Olympics and provide lasting benefits to host countries and their citizens.

That’s already manifesting itself this year. In Paris, civic officials have launched a US$1.5 billion effort to clean and restore the Seine River, which had been unswimmable for more than 50 years.

Another example, she explained that the World Rugby has developed a 10-point plan for delivering for nature, which is being shared with clubs across Europe and the Pacific.

Finally, the Sport for Climate Action movement, supported by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, has helped many sports reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and reached impressive outcomes.

Sports officials,she went on to say can incorporate natural elements into venues, such as green roofs and insect boxes
, and design training grounds to provide habitats for native species.

”Nature can be a real ally in sustaining sports and allowing them to thrive. Planting trees around stadia, for example, can increase cooling. Restoring wetlands, which regulate the availability of water, can enhance resilience and prevent pitches from flooding. And cleaning rivers allows them once again to become sporting venues. In doing these things, the sports world can offer a template for how to protect and restore nature, and serve as a role model for governments, businesses and individuals everywhere.

”The crisis confronting nature is urgent. We need everyone, including the sports world, to work together to safeguard our ecosystems, the UNEP official concluded.

Source: Emirates News Agency