In accordance with the Paris Agreement, in which nations promised to cut carbon emissions in an effort to combat global warming, Rio 2016 has promised groundbreakingly low figures in regards to the environmental impact of the Games. 

Rio 2016 receives top global sustainability certificate for event organisation

In partnership with Dow, the official chemical company of the Olympic Games, Rio 2016 announced on Monday (1 August) a projected reduction of two million tons of greenhouse gas emissions (GGE).

Rio 2016 wants to lead by example in sustainability (Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

"Let's use the platform of sport and the Olympic rings to demonstrate that our technology can encourage the adoption of low carbon solutions," says Louis Vega, global vice president of Olympic & Sports Solutions.

"The Rio 2016 Olympic Games gives us a unique opportunity to begin a dialogue and collaborate with leaders from diverse industrial sectors in Latin America to introduce solutions that will benefit future generations." 

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For Tânia Braga, head of sustainability and legacy at Rio 2016, this will be one of the principle legacies left by the Games. She believes that Brazilian companies and neighbouring countries can learn from what has been achieved. 

"To guarantee the delivery of the Games with a reduced carbon footprint is one of the principle motives of our sustainability strategy. The collaborations inspired by the Olympic Games and led by our partner Dow have already created a positive legacy in the region." 

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One of the most important factors in helping this mission was the rigid control of food sustainability according to Braga.

"Meats from unknown sources can accumulate harmful chemicals. Antibiotics, anabolic steroids and hormones are potentially introduced through the process of biological accumulation."

According to Braga, the importance of this legacy is just that; continuity. In the state of Rio de Janeiro alone there are already 6,000 small producers, grouped into three cooperatives. For Brazil, the highlight is farms with "zero deforestation" pastures, primarily in the interior state of Mato Grosso. 

Initiatives taken to cut emissions at Rio 2016

Biodiesel from recycled cooking oil
Fleets of buses and trucks fuelled by diesel containing 20% recycled cooking oil. Biodiesel emits less carbon and sulphur than mineral diesel. It is estimated that 20,000 oil collectors are involved, boosting the development of this production chain.

Logistics efficiency programme
Logistics are a major factor in boosting the Games’ CO² emissions. Rio 2016 has designed an intelligent route model to cut transportation time for the more than 30 million items to be bought in for the Games. This will also cut fuel consumption, as well as carbon emissions.

Technology-based carbon mitigation plan
This plan aims to mitigate 100% of the emissions generated by the Rio 2016 Games, which will amount to 500,000 tonnes of co2eq direct emissions from operations and 1.5 million tonnes of co2eq from spectators. Mitigation projects involve the agriculture, manufacturing and civil engineering sectors, and they will reap short, medium and long-term benefits.

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