With the COP29 summit underway, a recent study reveals how a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is vital to ensure the future of the Olympic Winter Games. The researchers, led by Professor Robert Steiger of the University of Innsbruck and Professor Daniel Scott of the University of Waterloo, studied different emissions scenarios: low, medium and high, finding that only under low or mid emissions scenarios could most potential hosts of the Winter Games remain viable until mid-century. Otherwise, global warming would render many traditional destinations for skiing and other winter sports unsuitable.

In a context of high emissions, most of the locations analyzed would face temperatures that are too warm by 2080, thus compromising the continuity of winter sports at these sites. The results of the study support the Olympic Agenda 2020 initiative and its extended version 2020+5, which relax requirements for future hosts, encouraging the use of existing or temporary facilities and allowing events to be held in several regions.

CLIMATE CONFIDENCE UNTIL MID-CENTURY

The results of the study confirm that the venues for the next editions of the Winter Games – the Italian and French Alps and Wasatch Back in Utah, USA – are secure in terms of climate reliability until the middle of this century. Karl Stoss, chairman of the Winter Games Future Host Committee, said the selection of these regions was carefully backed by scientific data. Stoss stressed, “The IOC’s strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of the Games ensures that they can be held in a sustainable manner, minimizing construction and environmental impact.”

At the same time, the authors of the study warn of the urgent need to achieve the Paris Agreement targets to curb global warming in mountain regions, where temperatures have risen by 0.3°C per decade, exceeding the global average of 0.2°C since the mid-20th century.

REDUCING THE IMPACT AND CARBON FOOTPRINT

Since 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has stipulated that future Winter Games venues must be “climate-proofed” and make maximum use of existing or temporary facilities. In addition, host cities, starting with the 2030 Olympic Winter Games, must significantly reduce carbon emissions, with the goal of becoming carbon-neutral projects, while also encouraging their partners to take environmental measures.

The IOC has worked to reduce carbon emissions at its events and expects this reduction to reach 30% by 2024 and 50% by 2030, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The organization is also committed to promoting climate action across the Olympic Movement, participating in global initiatives such as the UN Climate Action Framework for Sport.

GAMES IN A WORLD OF REDUCED EMISSIONS

Despite the challenges of climate change, Professor Robert Steiger stressed that continued adaptation will allow the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to remain a global sporting event. The decline in potential venues is a problem, but progress in adaptation and the flexibility of the Olympic Agenda provide a glimpse of a sustainable future for winter sports.