Decarbonization of major events
When it comes to navigating the small details of transforming consumption-intensive, transportation-intensive, and crowded events into carbon-neutral showcases, Sam Booth lives it.
Sam is AEG Europe Director of Sustainability and his employer operates venues including:
- The O2 Arena, London
- Uber Arena, Berlin
- Barclays Arena, Hamburg
- Accor Arena, Paris
- Eventim Apollo
- Indigo at the O2
- London Olympics.
Can major events receive a green heart?
Sam describes the waste generated at venues and festivals as “outrageous” and says getting the job at AEG Europe in January 2023 was a “big opportunity”.
He says: “The business is very diverse, so there are so many opportunities for change and influence within it.”
“We always say that the music industry itself is responsible for a very small percentage of global emissions, but the cultural weight and influence that it has to get people excited about these issues and actually change the paradigm a little bit and the “Changing conversations are really fundamental.”
He adds: “You have to believe it's possible, otherwise none of us will get out of bed in the morning, but a brutal answer is that it's not possible at the moment.”
What will be done in Paris 2024?
Paris aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50% compared to the average for London 2012 and Rio 2016.
A carbon budget has been set that covers the entire planning and operation of the Games – from construction, energy and transport to catering and procurement.
Its emissions measurements will even cover the indirect footprint of the games (Scope 3), such as spectator travel. It has calculated its material footprint for each venue and created a detailed map of the resources required, with the aim of minimizing them and controlling their life cycle before, during and after the Games.
It includes everything from spectator seats to tents, beds, chairs, tables and even tennis balls.
In total, 95% of the Paris 2024 competition venues are existing or temporary, with the remainder built using low-carbon construction methods.