Paris 2024 outlines credentials to deliver a Games centred on sustainability as Paris Agreement comes into effect

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Committee has today reaffirmed its commitment to deliver a spectacular Games with sustainability at its core as the Paris Agreement – a global climate action deal adopted unanimously by 195 countries at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP 21) – comes into effect.

The Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the banks of the River Seine, all famous Parisian landmarks that play a key role in the Paris 2024 city-centre Games plan, were last night illuminated green to mark the historic occasion in the fight against global warming that aims to strengthen the worldwide response to the threat of climate change.

The French state, the City of Paris and other cities across the country played a leading role in the conception of the Paris Agreement. Since the deal was adopted in December 2015, aligned to the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals, the French capital has launched several initiatives to create a greener, more sustainable environment in the heart of the city. These include:

§ The implementation of 700 charging stations for electric cars

§ The regeneration of 55,000m2 of urban land in the centre of the city that will be converted into green space

§ The pedestrianisation of 3.3km of the right bank of the River Seine, creating a promenade for walking, jogging and cycling

§ The creation of an environmental charter implemented at major events such as the Euro 2016 football championships

§ 5,000 trees have been offered to residents who have sufficient garden space to cultivate them

The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has long been a proponent of climate action and has shown strong leadership in this field. In August 2016 she was unanimously elected as Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group – a network of mega cities committed to addressing climate change – enabling Paris and France to play a leading role on this important global issue.

Earlier in 2016, Paris 2024 launched an Environmental Excellence Committee made up of 24 highly qualified individuals that is making significant contributions to the development of the bid. Led by the Environmental Excellence Committee, the Paris 2024 bid is aiming to be carbon neutral while also working to become the first ever Olympic bid to obtain the ISO 20121 sustainability certificate – a best-practice standard developed for major events.

In June this year, Paris was also named Global Earth Hour Capital 2016 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The international award recognised Paris as a role model for climate action praising the city’s ambitious vision and its successful engagement with business, civil society and other global cities on sustainability practices. This came after Paris 2024 announced a strategic partnership with WWF France to ensure the bid and the city’s Games Plan implements best practice in sustainability.

Together, the actions towards climate change by Paris 2024, the city and the country signify a positive trend in sustainable practices as the bid continues to gather momentum in the lead up to the Host City decision in Lima in September 2017.

Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 Co-Chairman and member of the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission, said:

"The Paris Agreement is a landmark moment in the global fight against climate change and sport must play its part. Sustainability is in the DNA of the Paris 2024 bid and we are firmly committed to delivering a pioneering green Games that helps to inspire climate action in Paris, France and across the world. Our dedication in this area is reflected in the fact that 95% of our competition venues already exist or are temporary structures and our vision for the athletes’ and media villages includes a plan to create a new ‘Eco City’ with 5,000 innovative and environmentally-sensitive homes for local people once the Games have finished."

Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said:

"I am proud of the leading role that Paris is playing in the global fight against climate change and we will continue to encourage and promote sustainable innovation across all areas of society. The Paris 2024 Games Plan is totally aligned with the long-term environmental aspirations of our city and country and we are committed to working collaboratively to deliver a spectacular Olympic and Paralympic Games that supports impactful green initiatives and has a lasting positive effect on the way people live."

Ségolène Royal, Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, who led the state’s efforts in the conception of the Paris Agreement, said:

"A year ago France made a major commitment to act on climate change. The Paris Agreement is a historic moment and proof that France is dedicated to this issue. Paris is a green city, a sports city and this is a great example of political action in the service of the people of today and tomorrow."

-ENDS-

For further information:

Raphaël Leclerc

Paris 2024 Bid Committee

Email: rleclerc@paris2024.org

+33 6 73 16 88 06

Rob Fawdon

VERO Communications

rfawdon@verocom.co.uk

+44 (0)7769 216 649

Engage with the Paris 2024 bid here:

Website: http://www.paris2024.org#_blank

Twitter: @Paris2024

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Paris2024

Instagram: http://instagram.com/paris2024

As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only