As everyone looks toward the 2024 Paris Olympics, IEEE SA explores how standards have raised the bar on sustainable planning and execution of world-class events.
With this year’s Olympics touted as the greenest in Games history, we highlight areas where IEEE SA sustainability and smart technology standards have an impact.
From digital twinning and smart cities to e-liability and maritime shipping, IEEE SA Standards provide a framework for sustainable practice and eco-responsibility stretching far beyond this summer’s event.
Event organizers are aiming for the first carbon-neutral Olympics in modern history by offsetting more emissions than the event creates. It’s no easy feat. With 800 sporting events, 15,000 athletes, 45,000 volunteers, and 13 million meals, the two-week competition traditionally produces an average of 3.5 million tons of CO2, which is more than the annual emissions of India and Germany combined.
Reuse, recycling, renewing, and overall sustainable choices are prevalent: almost all the programs will be held in existing or temporary facilities; the Athlete’s Village will be powered by renewable energy sources such as wind, geothermal, and solar power; and 80% of the vast food menu will be sourced from within France.
Paris will also act as a springboard for sustainable smart cities. Many IEEE Standards contribute to and support models where individuals are living—and thriving—in their communities:
- IEEE P3144: Standard for Digital Twin Maturity Model and Assessment Methodology in Industry
- IEEE P7803: Recommended Practice for Inclusive Sustainable Smart Cities
- IEEE P7802: Standard for Measurement and Verification of Reduction of Greenhouse Gases for Climate Action Projects and Solutions
- IEEE P3469: Standard for an Environmental Liability Process Model for Accounting in Systems Engineering
- IEEE P7800: Recommended Practice for Addressing Sustainability, Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Challenges in Professional Practice
- IEEE 7000-2021: Standard Model Process for Addressing Ethical Concerns during System Design
- IEEE 1888.4-2016: Standard for Green Smart Home and Residential Quarter Control Network Protocol
- IEEE 1547-2018: Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces
This special World-Class Events feature appears as a new hotspot in our IEEE SA Interactive Cityscape, your virtual glimpse into the impact and breadth of some of the many standards we come across every day in our lives, at work, where we learn, and when we play.
