Publication date:
July 29, 2024
Paris Olympics Introduces Eco-Friendly 5G Technology to Reduce Carbon Footprint
The Paris Olympics is implementing 5G technology to minimize environmental impact, with telecommunications provider Orange aiming to limit carbon emissions to 10,000 metric tons.
Energy Technology
The Paris Olympics is taking significant steps to reduce its environmental impact through the implementation of advanced 5G technology. This move represents a departure from the historical trend of Olympic Games negatively affecting host cities' environments.
Orange, the telecommunications provider for the Paris Games, has set an ambitious goal of limiting its carbon emissions to 10,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. If achieved, this would account for less than 1% of the total estimated emissions of the 2024 Olympics. This initiative is part of a broader effort to make the Games more sustainable.
The advantages of 5G technology in this context are substantial. Compared to older connectivity systems, 5G requires less physical infrastructure, uses less power, and needs less cooling. For instance, when AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, upgraded to 5G, it saw a tenfold increase in network performance while reducing power use by 87% and cooling requirements by up to 75%. This equated to over 100 metric tons in CO2 emissions savings annually.
Orange's strategy for the Paris Games includes using more local suppliers and shipping bulky items by sea rather than air to reduce emissions. The company plans to rent one-quarter of its equipment and estimates that 75% of the equipment will be reused or redeployed after the Games.
This approach to sustainability extends beyond the Olympics. The reusability of 5G networks used at large events offers potential for long-term community benefits. By designing infrastructure that can be repurposed for other uses post-event, organizers can minimize the environmental impact of event-triggered infrastructure projects.
The Paris Olympics' focus on sustainability, including the use of 5G technology, marks a significant shift in how major sporting events approach their environmental responsibilities. As this technology continues to evolve, it could play an increasingly important role in reducing the carbon footprint of large-scale events worldwide.
Orange, the telecommunications provider for the Paris Games, has set an ambitious goal of limiting its carbon emissions to 10,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. If achieved, this would account for less than 1% of the total estimated emissions of the 2024 Olympics. This initiative is part of a broader effort to make the Games more sustainable.
The advantages of 5G technology in this context are substantial. Compared to older connectivity systems, 5G requires less physical infrastructure, uses less power, and needs less cooling. For instance, when AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, upgraded to 5G, it saw a tenfold increase in network performance while reducing power use by 87% and cooling requirements by up to 75%. This equated to over 100 metric tons in CO2 emissions savings annually.
Orange's strategy for the Paris Games includes using more local suppliers and shipping bulky items by sea rather than air to reduce emissions. The company plans to rent one-quarter of its equipment and estimates that 75% of the equipment will be reused or redeployed after the Games.
This approach to sustainability extends beyond the Olympics. The reusability of 5G networks used at large events offers potential for long-term community benefits. By designing infrastructure that can be repurposed for other uses post-event, organizers can minimize the environmental impact of event-triggered infrastructure projects.
The Paris Olympics' focus on sustainability, including the use of 5G technology, marks a significant shift in how major sporting events approach their environmental responsibilities. As this technology continues to evolve, it could play an increasingly important role in reducing the carbon footprint of large-scale events worldwide.
