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Sustainability practices in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The Paris 2024 Olympics is not only a showcase of athletic ability but also a testament to the commitment to sustainability, setting a new benchmark for future international events. This event's emphasis on eco-friendly practices offers a unique opportunity to join together with the vocational education and training (VET) sector, promoting a new generation of skilled professionals able to integrate sustainable methods into various industries.

Paris 2024 is striving to be the most sustainable Olympics to date by implementing a wide variety of eco-friendly initiatives. The organizers have committed to reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy, sustainable construction, and waste reduction.

  1. Carbon Neutrality: The Paris 2024 Olympics aim to be the first carbon-neutral Games, with a plan to cut emissions by 50% compared to previous events. This is achieved through efficient transportation systems, energy-efficient venues, and the use of renewable energy sources.
  2. Sustainable Construction: Most of the venues are temporary or pre-existing, minimizing the need for new construction and thereby reducing environmental impact. Where new buildings are necessary, they are designed to be energy-efficient and built with sustainable materials.
  3. Waste Reduction: The Games have a comprehensive waste management plan focusing on recycling, composting, and reducing single-use plastics. The goal is to achieve zero waste to landfill.
A few sustainable practices worth mentioning are the medals containing 18 grams of original iron from the Eiffel Tower to highlight the importance of circular economy, the ecologically designed furniture from materials varying from parachute fabric to recycled badminton shuttlecocks, the 16.000 mattresses and pillows which will be repurposed and the drone-like buoys which will avoid harming the Posidonia Oceanica seagrass meadows.

Connecting Sustainability to Vocational Education and Training

The sustainability initiatives of Paris 2024 provide a rich context for the VET sector to develop and implement training programs that equip individuals with the skills needed to support sustainable practices in various fields. Here are some key areas where VET can align with the sustainability goals of the Paris 2024 Olympics:

  1. Green Building and Construction: VET programs can focus on teaching sustainable construction techniques, energy-efficient building design, and the use of eco-friendly materials.
  2. Renewable Energy Technologies: Developing courses on solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources can prepare technicians and engineers to implement and maintain sustainable energy solutions, which are integral to the Olympics' goal of carbon neutrality.
  3. Sustainable Event Management: Specialized training in sustainable event planning can ensure that large-scale events like the Olympics are organized with minimal environmental impact.
  4. Transportation and Logistics: VET can offer programs that focus on sustainable transportation solutions, including the maintenance and operation of electric vehicles, efficient public transport systems, and smart logistics to reduce emissions.
  5. Waste Management and Recycling: Training programs in waste management can educate workers on the latest recycling technologies and waste reduction techniques, ensuring that sustainability goals are met during and after the event.

By integrating the sustainability practices of the Paris 2024 Olympics into the VET sector, we can prepare a workforce that is not only skilled but also environmentally conscious. This synergy will help kepp the principles of sustainability alive beyond the event itself, promoting a culture of eco-friendly practices across various industries. The collaboration between the Olympics' sustainability initiatives and vocational education can thus serve as a catalyst for a greener future.