While organisers of Olympic are propelling green agendas, spectator emissions remain the biggest blind spot
The Olympic Games are enduring an aggressive sustainability makeover. From Paris 2024 Olympics branding itself as the “greenest ever” to Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics promising the “cleanest” Winter Games, the narrative is clear: the Olympics are going green.
But behind the sustainability claims lies a critical gap—one that organisers have yet to fully address: the carbon footprint of spectators.
The Real Climate Cost of Attending the Olympics
As ticket sales surge—over 1.2 million already sold for Milano Cortina 2026 and an estimated 15 million spectators expected at Los Angeles 2028 Olympics—the environmental burden is shifting away from infrastructure and toward individuals.
Despite venues running on renewable energy and “zero-build” policies gaining traction, a study by France’s ecological authorities during Paris 2024 found that 65% of total emissions came from spectator travel and accommodation.
On average, a single Olympic attendee generates between 0.52 and 0.92 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions—comparable to:
- A cross-country road trip across the United States
- The annual carbon footprint of individuals in some developing nations
Where Do These Emissions Come From?
- Air Travel: A small share of international visitors contributes disproportionately. Roughly 10% of spectators account for nearly 80% of transport emissions.
- Accommodation: Energy-intensive hotels and temporary stays increase local resource demand.
- Stadium Operations: Surprisingly minimal, thanks to renewable-powered venues.
Winter Olympics Face a Deeper Ecological Challenge
The environmental pressure intensifies for Winter Games. The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is already under scrutiny from conservation groups like WWF Italia.
Concerns include:
- Cutting of centuries-old alpine forests for infrastructure
- Massive water diversion for artificial snow production
- Stress on fragile mountain ecosystems
In regions facing water scarcity, snowmaking alone can significantly disrupt local hydrology—adding another hidden environmental cost embedded in every ticket.
Can Spectators Reduce Their Carbon Footprint?
While systemic change remains limited, individual choices can still make a difference:
1. Choose Rail Over Air
European rail networks are being positioned as low-carbon alternatives. During Paris 2024, nearly 87% of spectators used public or active transport.
2. Opt for Certified Green Accommodation
Hotels with environmental certifications (such as ISO 14001) typically have lower emissions compared to temporary or unregulated stays.
3. Offset Unavoidable Emissions
Carbon offsetting, especially for long-haul flights, can partially mitigate impact—though it is not a complete solution.
LA28’s ‘Radical Reuse’: A New Olympic Model
In contrast to past Games, Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is introducing a transformative sustainability approach: “Radical Reuse.”
No New Permanent Venues
Instead of building new infrastructure, LA28 will rely entirely on existing or temporary facilities, including:
- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- SoFi Stadium
- Rose Bowl Stadium
Temporary overlays—such as modular seating and pop-up pools—will replace permanent construction.
Rethinking Athlete Housing
Breaking from tradition, athletes will be accommodated in existing university housing at:
- University of California Los Angeles
- University of Southern California
From Construction to Carbon Avoidance
Historically, Olympics like Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 were criticised for massive infrastructure spending and abandoned venues. LA28 flips the model:
- Zero new permanent construction
- Focus on reducing “embodied carbon”
- Lower financial risk and avoidance of cost overruns
This approach echoes the success of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics—the only modern Games to turn a profit.
A Shift in Olympic Legacy
The definition of Olympic legacy is evolving:
- Financial: Reduced debt and balanced budgets
- Environmental: Avoidance of new construction emissions
- Social: Less displacement linked to large-scale redevelopment
However, critics argue that this model may miss opportunities to build long-term public infrastructure.
The Bottom Line
The Olympics may be getting greener on paper, but the biggest environmental challenge remains unresolved: the audience.
Until cleaner aviation technologies—such as sustainable aviation fuels or hydrogen—become mainstream, the most climate-friendly way to watch the Olympics may still be the simplest: from home.