Tokyo 2020 Projected to Offset More Than 100% of Carbon Emissions

Tokyo, 4 June 2021 – The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020),

together with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Saitama Prefecture, today formally announced the results

of Tokyo 2020's carbon offsetting programme. With the support and cooperation of these two government

authorities and all participating corporations, credits equivalent to a total of approximately 4.38 million tonnes of

CO₂ were collected. This is expected to offset more than the total emissions from the Games, which are estimated

at approximately 2.73 million tonnes of CO₂, taking the Tokyo 2020 Games beyond carbon neutrality in driving

emissions reductions. This complements Tokyo 2020’s carbon reduction measures which have so far resulted in

the reduction of 280,000 tonnes of CO₂.

Helping combat climate change is one of the five major sustainability principles underpinning preparation and

delivery of the Tokyo 2020 Games. Reducing carbon emissions is key to combatting climate change; Tokyo 2020 is

playing its part reducing CO₂ emissions by minimising the amount of construction, conserving energy, and using

energy generated from renewable sources. These measures resulted in a reduction of 280,000 tonnes of CO2.

Remaining CO₂ emissions will be offset using these credits.1

In order to help reach these targets, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Saitama Prefecture have solicited

credits from eligible companies in their respective areas under cap-and-trade procedures.

2 These initiatives yielded a significant response, and Governor of Tokyo KOIKE Yuriko and Governor of Saitama Prefecture ONO Motohiro today presented the resulting credit certificates to Tokyo 2020 President HASHIMOTO Seiko.3 These credits meet criteria defined by Tokyo 2020 (see the Tokyo 2020 Pre-Games Sustainability Report, linked at the end of this release, for more detail). While this is not the first such initiative of its kind, it is the first time in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games that hundreds of businesses and organisations have been engaged to accumulate carbon offset credits on this scale, with more than 200 local businesses and municipalities

participating.

The Tokyo 2020 Carbon Offset Programme

Going forward, Tokyo 2020 will monitor the amount of CO₂ emitted during the Tokyo 2020 Games and will

continue to reduce CO₂ emissions as far as possible through energy-saving measures. Final carbon figures will be

provided in the Tokyo 2020 Post-Games Sustainability Report to be published later this year.

Credit Collection Periods

Tokyo: 24 July 2018 – 7 September 2020

Saitama: 1 November 2018 – 7 September 2020

Each local authority implemented their own carbon reduction initiatives: the Tokyo Metropolitan Government

organised a "Tokyo Zero Carbon 4 Days in 2020" effort and Saitama Prefecture implemented "Zero Carbon 3 Days

in 2019" to solicit credits. 4

Contributions to SDGs

Of the 17 Development Goals set out in the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goal programme, this initiative

contributes to No. 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), No. 13 (Climate Action) and No. 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

Tokyo 2020 Sustainability Efforts

See https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/games/sustainability/

Carbon Offset Programme for the Tokyo 2020 Games

See https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/games/sustainability/sus-plan-carbonoffset

1 Carbon offsetting is a method in which measures are taken to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO₂, with

all or part of emissions generated offset by emission reductions elsewhere.

2 Cap-and-trade procedures refer to government energy programs intended to reduce emissions by incentivizing

businesses to invest in clean energy alternatives. Government regulatory authorities issue participating businesses with

permits that limit, or cap, permissible CO₂ emissions. Businesses that surpass the cap are taxed, while those that reduce

their emissions may sell or trade unused credits.

3 These certificates are ceremonial; Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Saitama Prefecture are not presenting Tokyo

2020 with credits themselves but rather have designated the credits generated and collected under this programme

as limited to the purpose of "carbon offsetting for the Tokyo 2020 Games."

4 "Tokyo Zero Carbon 4 Days in 2020" is the program that offsets all CO2 emissions that are expected to be generated

across Tokyo during the four days of opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

For more information: Tokyo 2020 Online Press Room

International Communications

Email: pressoffice@tokyo2020.jp

Follow Tokyo 2020 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only