Paris 2024: New Sports Organizations Commit to Sustainability and Biodiversity Protection

Seventeen new sports organizations have recently joined the Sports for Nature Framework, committing to safeguarding and enhancing the natural environment. Their inclusion was celebrated during an event at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, bringing the total number of Framework signatories to 76.
 
"Sports depend on the natural world and have a responsibility to protect it. The increasing dedication and enthusiasm from across the sports community show how much progress the Olympic Movement has made in its sustainability efforts. The Sports for Nature Framework is designed to provide sports organizations with the tools and support needed to take meaningful action," said Marie Sallois, International Olympic Committee Director for Sustainability.
 

New signatories, including the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees, and others, are committed to reducing their environmental impact through initiatives like sustainable transportation, energy solutions, and procurement practices.
 
During the signing event, attended by over 100 people, Olympians highlighted the influential role sport can play in driving environmental change.
 
"Sport has a significant role in global environmental protection efforts. Events like the Olympic Games give us a platform to advocate strongly for nature," said Abhinav Bindra, Olympic gold medalist at Beijing 2008, Vice-Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, and founder of the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust

 
“In rugby, our differences contribute to the game in various ways,” said Alena Olsen, a Paris 2024 Olympic medalist with the USA in rugby 7s. “Similarly, collective action is vital for climate initiatives. Athletes want to be actively involved and make a meaningful contribution,” said Alena Olsen, Paris 2024 Olympic medalist with the USA in rugby.
 
“We’re gathered at the Olympic Games because we believe in shared values and the potential for humans to improve,” said Adam van Koeverden, Olympic champion and Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Ministers of Environment, Climate Change, Sport, and Physical Activity. “Sport has the power to change minds and touch hearts, and we must leverage that.”
 
Biodiversity protection was a key focus for the Paris 2024 organizers, who adopted an “anticipate, avoid, and reduce” strategy to minimize the environmental impact of the event. Approximately 95% of the venues were existing or temporary, limiting the need for new construction. Temporary installations were carefully planned to minimize ecological impacts, including the protection of rare plants and the preservation of sensitive habitats.
 
“Paris 2024 demonstrated that it is possible to host Games that are both spectacular and sustainable,” said Sallois while adding, “Sport’s ability to inspire sets it apart from other sectors, offering a unique opportunity to be part of the solution.”
 
Dona Bertarelli, IUCN Patron of Nature and Executive Chair of Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy, emphasized in a video message: “Sports unite us, but this unity brings responsibility. Every action in sport impacts nature, and our role in protecting the environment is essential for our survival and well-being.”
 
Launched in 2022, Sports for Nature is a collaborative initiative by the IUCN, IOC, UNEP, CBD, and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy. It aims to incorporate biodiversity considerations into the planning and operations of sports events, including the Olympic Games, encouraging sports organizations to protect natural habitats, conserve species, and promote sustainable land use.
 
The IOC is committed to embedding sustainability into every aspect of organizing the Olympic Games, ensuring that each event leaves a positive, lasting legacy for the host city and country.