Explainer-Can Paris 2024 be the greenest Games yet?

LONDON : With medals made of iron salvaged from Eiffel Tower refurbishments and stadium seating of recycled plastic, Paris 2024 aims to be the greenest olympics yet.

The case for action is clear as scientists have said intense heat linked to man-made carbon emissions is a growing risk to competitors at the world's largest sporting event and beyond.

Paris 2024 has pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by half compared to the average emitted during the London and Rio Summer Games.

Here are some of Paris 2024's efforts towards meeting that goal.

CONSTRUCTION

For many people, Olympic stadiums such as Rio's Olympic Aquatic Centre that have failed to find a purpose after the Games symbolise extravagance.

Paris 2024 has sought to minimise new construction.

Almost all venues use existing or temporary sites, often relying on the city's landmarks as backdrops.

Organisers say the replacement of concrete with low carbon building materials, including sustainably-sourced wood, will reduce the Olympic Village's emissions by 30 per cent compared to what the organisers referred to as conventional projects without giving details.

Permanent infrastructure accounted for 73 per cent of the estimated 467,000 metric tons of carbon emissions generated by the Olympic Games between 2018 and 2023.

In addition, 11,000 seats at the only two purpose-built arenas for Paris 2024 are made out of recycled plastic.

TRANSPORT

Along with construction, transport is expected to be one of the biggest sources of emissions during the Games.

Organisers have said they will use low-carbon vehicles to ferry around athletes and official visitors and that all venues are accessible by bike, foot or public transport.

However, Paris is not tackling the emissions generated by