The Paris 2024 Olympics is introducing a significant change by reducing meat, cheese, and dairy in the Games Village menu, focusing on plant-based and vegan options to lower its carbon footprint and promote sustainability.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are making headlines not just for their sporting excellence but for their bold environmental stance. Unlike previous Games, Paris is drastically shifting away from traditional French fare, known for its rich meat, cheese, and dairy, to focus on plant-based options in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint.
A Sustainable Shift in Menu
For the first time, the Olympic Games Village will offer a limited selection of France’s beloved animal products. Instead, athletes, staff, and media personnel will be served a menu that prioritizes plant-based foods. This decision aligns with Paris’s ambitious goal of minimizing its carbon emissions. The city aims to achieve a carbon footprint of 1.58 million metric tons of CO2, a significant reduction from the Tokyo Olympics’ 1.96 million metric tons and London 2012’s 3.4 million metric tons.
Innovative Measures and Targets
The Games will prepare an estimated 13 million meals and snacks, with the International Olympic Committee targeting that 60% of these will be plant-based. The goal is to reduce the average CO2 emissions per meal to 1 kilogram, half of the previous Olympic norm. This shift will include a heavy emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and locally sourced ingredients, with France aiming to source 80% of its food from within the country to minimize transport emissions.
Changing Food Culture in France
Veganism is not yet mainstream in France, where annual meat consumption per capita is significantly higher than the global average. Historically, France has had minimal vegan dining options, with even Michelin-starred vegan restaurants struggling to stay afloat. However, the Paris Olympics are challenging these norms by offering a diverse menu based on regional cuisines, including French, Asian, African-Caribbean, and global dishes. Examples include ‘Veggie Bourguignon,’ ‘Cauliflower and baked potato with turmeric,’ and ‘Bell pepper, onion, tomato and pepper stir fry.’
Transportation and Infrastructure
The Paris Games are also encouraging sustainable transportation. Athletes from neighboring countries such as the Netherlands, Britain, Belgium, and Switzerland are being advised to travel by train. The city’s robust public transport system and bicycle availability are further intended to reduce reliance on cars.
Event-Specific Initiatives
At La Concorde, where several Olympic events will take place, all food served will be vegetarian. Philipp Würz, responsible for food and beverages at Paris 2024, emphasized the significance of this change: “We wanted to focus on vegetarian options. 60 percent of the recipes for the general public will be vegetarian. We are convinced that with these Games, we have a unique opportunity to do things differently and show that another model is possible.”
Paris 2024 is setting a precedent by integrating sustainability into every aspect of the Games, from menu planning to transportation. By significantly reducing animal protein and focusing on plant-based meals, Paris aims to lead by example and promote a more environmentally friendly approach to major international events.
