How green are the Olympics?

What in the World

The Olympics have a huge impact, in many ways. Whether that’s tears, screaming at the TV, or inspiring you to take up rhythmic gymnastics. There’s another impact though, that affects us all, and that’s on the environment and climate. The 2016 Rio Games had a total estimated footprint of 3.6m tonnes of carbon.

Ahead of Paris 2024, we chat to BBC climate and sport reporter David Lockwood and Jordan Dunbar, co-host of BBC podcast The Climate Question. They explain how organisers are trying to cut their emissions in half this year, compared to previous Olympics and discuss what a future, greener Olympics could look like.

And almost 16,000km away in Tahiti, French Polynesia, the small community of Teahupo’o will host the surfing event on their legendary waves. But it’s not all smooth sailing, as the Olympic committee faced protests against the building of a massive new judging tower in the reef. Local photographer Tim McKenna explains what the locals think now, and how they’re preparing.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producer: Imogen James and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Check out some of our other episodes about the Olympics:

- How do I become an Olympian? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct67qg - Breakdancing at the Paris Olympics: What to expect https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct6807 - How do African athletes train for the Winter Olympics without ice? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct67hv