Event Sustainability: Analysis of Olympics

This report provides an analysis of event sustainability, focusing on the Olympics. It covers the introduction and basic information about the event, outcomes of the event sustainability assessment, and recommendations for the event.

Event Sustainability

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Introduction and basic information about the event........................................................................1
Introduction to the event..............................................................................................................1
Outcomes of the event sustainability assessment............................................................................2
Event Sustainability Assessment.................................................................................................2
Recommendations............................................................................................................................6
Recommendations for the event...................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Event Sustainability refers to the different types of practices which are related with
environmental, economic and social issues (Dyllick and Muff, 2016). Thus this type of
sustainability is required in terms of global events so that these events are held in the right
manner. Therefore this helps in the attainment of goals as well as objectives without facing
problems and issues. In this report, the sustainability analysis of a particular global event will be
done. Thus in this way the environmental, economic as well as social issues which are related
with the event can be assessed so that the use of different types of strategies can be made
effectively and efficiently. For this project, Olympics has been considered. It is a global event
which is held in every summer and winter. Thus in this event, a range of different types of
factors are considered. These are quite important so that the event is held successfully. In this
assignment, detailed focus will be made on Introduction and information on the event, outcomes
of event sustainability assessment. Additionally, recommendations for the event will also be
discussed as a part of this report.
MAIN BODY
Introduction and basic information about the event
Introduction to the event
Olympics are a major global event which are held every four years in different countries
of the world (Ermolaeva and Lind, 2020). They are a major sporting event in which a range of
different types of sports are covered. Sports like Basketball, Softball, Surfing, Tennis, Volleyball
etc. are covered under this event which is quite helpful in ensuring that the athletes from
different countries in the world are able to take part in this event and showcase their talent.
Bidding process for Olympics is held in which different countries take part. Thus in this
way the bidding is held for the purpose of hosting the Olympics because it is a very prestigious
event.
Thus in this way it can be said that the hosting of such type of events can be done in the
right manner. Therefore it is quite important that the coverage of these events is done properly.
Therefore the hosting of these events has to be done in a responsible manner. Thus it can be said
that the hosting of an event like Olympics requires ensuring that the environmental, economic as
well as social issues can be handled in the right manner.
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They are normally held between a time-period of four years. The hosting of such an event
involves taking into account different types of factors such as environmental, economic as well
as social issues. This is so because these type of issues require that solution is found out in the
right manner. This will help a lot in ensuring that the events are held in a sustainable manner.
Also it is very important from the point of view of event organisers of the Olympics that they are
able to make sure that by considering these factors they are able to ensure that they can
sustainably hold the event without facing problems and issues.
Outcomes of the event sustainability assessment
Event Sustainability Assessment
It is important for the purpose of organizing the event that an assessment of the
sustainability of the event is done effectively and efficiently (Holmes and Mair, 2018). Thus it is
quite important that the assessment for the purpose of event sustainability assessment of
Olympics that the following types of factors are considered-
Food & Beverage- In the terms of Food & Beverage there were different types of factors
which were considered in Olympics (Ivanov, 2018). Thus, In hosting of an event like Olympics
Food & Beverage are required to be provided to the Athletes. This will make sure that the
assessment is made properly. In the terms of sustainability, with the use of disposable food
plates, cups and other biodegradable items the environmental concerns relating to the event can
be handled effectively and efficiently.
In the Olympics, the sustainability in this aspect can be managed by making sure that the
Food & Beverage which are provided to the spectators are provided in biodegradable parts. This
will help a lot in ensuring that the sustainability goals and objectives which are related to the
event are achieved effectively and efficiently.
For the athletes the Food & Beverage aspect can be managed by ensuring that they are
provided food in biodegradable plates which will help a lot in ensuring that the event does not
hurts the environment in any manner. This is because hosting of a big event like Olympics can be
challenging in this aspect for the event organizers as the food preparation for so many spectators
as well as athletes for a long duration is required to be managed in an effective manner.
Also a matter of concern for the event managers in Olympics is food wastage during the
Olympics. It has to be tried by the event managers in the Olympics so that they are able to ensure
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that they can host the event successfully. In the past whenever Olympics have been held in the
different countries of the world the focus has been put on ensuring that the sustainable practices
are used properly so that the food wastage is reduced which will help in contributing in a better
manner towards the environment effectively and efficiently. Measures have been taken in the
past in the Olympics so that the food wastage is regulated and the use of proper biodegradable
options is made for the purpose of ensuring that no harm is caused to the environment and its
related resources.
Carbon Emission- Olympics have a reputation of leaving behind a Carbon Footprint
(Kersulić, Perić and Wise, 2020). This type of Carbon Footprint increases the pollution caused
by the events in the air as well as other natural resources. The Olympics in the past have left
behind Carbon Footprint. At present also, the hosting of an event like Olympics leaves behind a
large Carbon Footprint. The examples of Carbon Emission during the event are as follows-
 Higher amount of emission of Greenhouse gases- Greenhouses gases like CO2 are
released when this event is held in the different countries all over the world. This is due
to the reason that the negative impact in the environment is caused because of hosting of
such a large event in a highly effective manner.
 Travelling- Travelling happens to a large extent in Olympics by the players as well as
fans as they have to frequently move from one place to the another (Kim, Wagner and
Colicchia, 2019). Thus in this way it can be said that this type of travelling has put a large
impact on the countries which are hosting the event. This is because environmental issues
are increased in the countries which are hosting this event.
 Energy use during the event- Energy use during an event like Olympics is much more.
This can thus put a negative impact on the carbon emissions and thus affects the Carbon
Footprint in the countries where this event is held.
 Construction activities- Construction activities in Olympics are held because of
requirement of the players as well as fans (Marchese and et.al., 2018). For hosting this
event it is required that the stadiums are constructed with a large-scale capacity so that
they can seat a number of fans. Thus in this way it can be said that for hosting of such an
event there are a lot of construction activities which are involved which leave quite a
negative impact on the environment because of air, water pollution which they cause in
the countries which host the event.
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However IOC i.e. International Olympics Committee has decided that it will make the
use of a sustainable strategy which will help the hosts a lot in ensuring that the Olympics become
Carbon Positive from the year 2030. The strategy of IOC will be focused at ensuring that less
carbon footprints are left behind after hosting the event and that they are held in Green and
Conservative way.
Waste- Hosting of a large event like the Olympics leaves behind a lot of waste for the
organizers (Millar and Park, 2018). This is so because the different types of facilities which are
set-up during the Olympics are used and thus a lot of waste is generated which can affect the
environment a lot. The reason for this is that air and water pollution is so much in these games
that a lot of high-level of waste is generated.
An estimated prior to the hosting of the Olympics in the year 2016 in Rio suggested that
approximately 17,000 tons of waste was expected to be generated within a space of two weeks.
This will include consumption of 6,000 tones of food consumed, 23.5 million litres of fuel usage
and the use of 29.5 gigawatts of energy.
The claim left behind London Olympics 2012 of being the “Greenest Olympics” ever set
a standard for the Rio Olympics 2016 to meet. This included setting of a proper Integrated Waste
Management System for ensuring that the treatment of waste during the Olympics is done in a
right manner. Rio Olympics 2016 was able to meet these standards by ensuring the usage of
proper waste management and segregation techniques which helped a lot in achieving the
environmental and sustainability standards.
Nowadays, a committee is being formed which provides different types of suggestions to
the organizers of the Olympics which are related with waste management during the event. The
sequence of Waste generation avoidance- Minimising avoidance of waste- Managing Inevitable
waste- Promoting Behavioural Change has to be followed which ensures that the waste which is
generated during the Olympics is managed in the right manner without facing different types of
problems and issues.
Transport- Hosting of Olympic Games within a short space of time involves ensuring
that the best transportation facilities are provided in the event (Negruşa and et.al., 2016).
Hosting of such an event leads to peak demands for the purpose of provision of transportation
facilities because the movement of the players as well as athletes takes place frequently during it.
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Thus in terms of hosting this event the transport infrastructure is required to be upgraded
and innovative techniques are required to be used so that the facilitation of operational capacity
enhancement can be done in order to meet the peak travel demands during the games effectively
and efficiently.
When the Rio Olympics 2016 were held the challenge was to ensure that the Mass
Transit System of the city is able to meet the peak demand during the hosting of the games. The
BRT system of the Rio was much more than what was required for the event as the expansion
was done from 76 kilometres to 156 kilometres. The metro extension in the city was also
upgraded from 4 to 16 km.
Thus in this way it can be said that the transportation system in Rio for the purpose of
hosting of the games was upgraded which helped a lot in ensuring that the different types of
needs and requirements related to the transportation were met. Thus, these games have left a
legacy to be followed in the future when Olympics are to be held in different countries of the
world.
Local Impacts- The hosting of Olympics creates a lot of Local Impacts as well. It
specifically means the benefits which are available for the different local communities (Shah,
Rahman and Chowdhury, 2017). This is so because they are mega global events and hosting
them requires ensuring that the cooperation and coordination with the local people is done in a
proper manner. Also the hosting of a large-scale event of its size ensures that the opportunities
are provided within the host country for the local businesses as well. The benefits for the local
community were provided in the following manner-
 Boost for the local businesses- Hosting the Olympics in a country ensures that a much-
required boost is provided to the local businesses (Silvius, 2017). The local businesses
can make the use of the opportunity of enhancing their overall sales and revenues. When
Rio Olympics 2016 were held they put an impact on the business of the local businesses
by ensuring that they are able to increase their earnings in a proper manner without
problems and issues.
 Contribution towards social development- Hosting of the Olympic games helps in
ensuring that the overall social development within the society can be ensured. Rio
Olympics 2016 helped a lot in ensuring that the social image of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil
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improved a lot in front of the world because the country was able to host event of such a
large-scale successfully.
 Development of the local economy- In Hosting of the Olympic games in the different
countries of the world the development of the local economy can be ensured. In hosting
Rio Olympics 2016 the development of the local economy was done as the economic
development in the country enhanced because a boost was provided to the businesses.
Thus it can be said that the hosting of Olympics ensures that the sustainable development
of the businesses is made possible.
 Demand for local-made goods- The hosting of Rio Olympics 2016 ensured that the
demand for local-made goods was enhanced. Thus Olympics are able to make sure that
they increase the demand for the different types of local goods in an effective manner.
This helps in ensuring that the businesses of the local communities are enhanced which
enhances the level of sustainability effectively.
 Increase in tourism- The tourism activities have increased a lot after the hosting of Rio
Olympics 2016. Therefore it can be said that Olympics have contributed a lot in the terms
of enhancing the tourism level in the countries which have hosted the games. This has
benefited the local communities a lot as their level of business has been enhanced.
 Improvement of public welfare- Hosting a large event like the Olympics is helpful in
ensuring that the improvement in public welfare can be done (Werner, Griese and Hogg,
2017). In hosting of Rio Olympics 2016, the management was able to ensure that the due
consideration was provided to public welfare. Thus in this way there are specific benefits
for the local communities because this hosting such a big event leads towards increase in
provision of best facilities for the public which can be quite helpful for them.
Recommendations
Recommendations for the event
Olympics is among most successful events in world and it incorporates various plans for
enhancing its activities year by year. It also pertains set plan for sustainability in context to both
participates and viewers. It encourages employment level to a huge extent and addresses various
issues of society such as, gender discrimination, caste or colour discrimination etc. But it is noted
that event is still not up to the mark in resolving issues of transportation as well as waste disposal
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to the desired level. It leads to environmental disaster as animal migration territories are used as
a areas of construction. Large amount of wastes are spillage in water and there are cases of
illegal landfills for the purpose of construction materials. Apart firm this, large organizations
promote their brands in Olympics at huge level , it pertains negative impact on business that are
local or small. It also incorporates potential for negative publicity. Apart from this, some
facilities that are build for Olympic purpose will never be utilised gain, such as, athletic
stadiums. Following are some recommendations for enhancement of sustainability and success of
Olympic event in future period of time:
 Lot of food wastages incur in Olympics event hence, instead of wasting such foods, it can
be given to people that are homeless. As almost 7500 people in London are homeless in
the year 2017 and sleep hungry. By providing food to such people, social responsibility
of event will increase and it will coincide with most of the goals of suitability
development of an event,. Such gaols can be of various types such as, eradication of
poverty and hunger, or, providing good health to people. It is an expensive approach as
management team of an event will have to hire more individuals for the purpose of
serving food to needed people. Further, it may also happen that food vendors disagree
with the fact of providing food ton people who are homeless as it pertains no financial
benefit. Despite of such hindrances, management team of Olympic event should
formulate effective strategies for conquering wastage of food as it will enhance brand
image or reputation of event in an international market as also be counted as an
sustainable activity of event.
 It is recommended to incorporate social as well as environmental responsibility in
sponsorship of corporate. As corporations that are sponsoring huge event of Olympics
have tremendous opportunity for adding social as well as environmental value to events.
Some options regarding this purpose can be donation or subsidization of products that are
eco-friendly.
 Other way in which Olympics can be more eco-friendly is by implementing alternative
sources of energy with the motive of offsetting enormous level of environmental costs
that are associated with powering of games. There are various problems that are caused
by Olympics to the hosting country for the purpose of coping up with some of them,
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policy formulators of Olympics can partner with some local companies of hosting
country for the purpose of determining best ways in which nation can be served.
 Olympics can launch various campaigns for creating awareness in context to issues such
as, increment in violence or human trafficking around event. If strategy formulators of
event focus on ways in which positive change can be created around country that is
hosting event by aligning sponsorship with values and setting attainable goals for
enhancement of environmental sustainability than huge level of change can occur.
 It is required for managers of event to focus more on issues that are faced by people
regarding transportation and infrastructure requirements. Sustainability should be an
integral component in each step of process of planning for the event. As it can be noted
that when Olympics was hosted in Brazil, many issues were faced such as, problem
regarding traffic as it is on number four while considering congested city in world. Apart
from this, bike path that was created at the time of event was collapsed even before game
was started. Hence, transportation options should be more sustainable.
 Increased pressure, risks as well as damages of environment negatively impacts,
reputation of this mega event. It incorporates large demand for transport, water,
accommodations as well as wastage. If not managed in an adequate manner than it
pertains large amount of negative influence on environment. Wastage that is accumulated
during this games consists huge environmental pressure, hence, efforts should be taken
for collecting, transporting as well as land filling such wastage with effective plan work.
 Effective sustainability development plan should be incorporated by managers of event
regarding management of issues such as air pollution or water pollution. Even paper
disposables should be utilised for saving environment as it biodegrades easily.
 Residents of hosting city of Olympics games are displaced as well as burdened. As
people are evicted in a forceful manner from their residents by providing minimum
amount of compensation to them.
 Olympics are setting in open grounds for these activities people go for cutting trees which
affects environment. They should maintain in their activities corporate social
responsibility which are not affecting environment because lack of trees made reason for
pollution. Organisers should maintain pollution free environment they can use blank
ground rather than cutting trees.
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 Sometimes it happen that people playing games the ball are going in the clean rivers and
people go for there to keep outside it from their dirty hands which affects water. There
should various guidelines for them so that they keeps water clean. There should board
which quotes related to the clean environment. Board which contains guidelines related
to the clean environment.
 There should environment awareness lectures for the public which helps them
maintaining bright environment. Clean environment helps for keeping pollution less
environment which gives fresh air for sports persons for keep healthy with the
environment.
 To increasing the sustainability in Olympics is important where it can promote it
reducing in the waste in different activities that has been conducted in game. As there is
large process and it will improve the sustainability and increase the effectiveness in the
games. It creates the efficiency and promote it reducing the waste will foster the
performance and will eco friendly in nature.
 Growing the size of garden will help the Olympics in maintaining large numbers of
games and improves the performance in activities of athletes when they will use the
garden it could increase the effectiveness. It builds the overall performance and promote
the growth of Olympics. Some important measure can be done through increasing in the
size of garden with better results and output.
 It needs to compost the kitchen waste and required to be manage properly through the use
of science and different methods to control the waste of kitchen. This is improving the
effectiveness and promote the eco-friendly activities and habit in organisation and must
contain the proper use of all waste which is using to clear out the waste and create the
better environment in the Olympics. As, there are many countries will visit their and
reduces the effectiveness in order to provide clear, safe and hygienic environment to
them. To being proper requirement of all facility to all the athlete are necessary and as it
will be beneficial for their health as well.
 Recycling the waste will proof as saviour in the Olympics and will build the
sustainability in environment and development of sense of responsibility in the games. It
will be so helpful in coming up with the technology of recycling of waste in games. As it
will require in big area and large scale and need proper knowledge of how it will be
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implemented in the Olympics. It is will improve overall reduction in total waste and
increase the activities related to the eco-friendly and increasing in the management of this
organisation.
 Management of Olympics could also use the sustainable manufacturing process also that
will also be so beneficial in the implementation and process and it includes the proper
utilization of various chemicals and processing aids. It will also required the low energy
and promote in low cost also for management of Olympics and will be creation of by
products and controls in pollution in order to promote the effectiveness in the
management. Managing the products are always been necessary for management and will
promote the effectiveness in the process of Olympics.
 It is necessary to promote the cleanlinesses and reduction in waste and will create the
eco-friendly and gives the message to everyone in the athletes to keep the things clean
and build the effectiveness. It is necessary to keep the every department clean and
promote the agenda to keep surrounding hygiene and proper use of sanitisation is very
essential to fight with various disease.
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CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that event sustainability refers to the ways in
which the sustainable development can be ensured in the events. This is quite important for the
events so that the sustainable handling of the events can be done in highly effective manner.
Thus the organizers are required to concentrate on it so that they are able to ensure that they can
manage the work related with sustainability properly. This will make sure that the
environmental, economic and social issues which are related with the event are handled in a
proper manner. For the assessment of the event it is required that the basic information related to
it can be gathered. There can be different types of outcomes after the Event sustainability
assessment of a particular event is done. Recommendations can be provided for ensuring that the
event is organized properly in the future.
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Appendix-
Olympics Sustainability Assessment Form
Event: Olympics
Venue- Different venues across Rio de Janeiro
Location- Rio de Janeiro
Date and Running Time- 5 August- 21 August
Category Aspect of
Category
Desk Research Observations Comments
Food and
Beverages
Waste This refers to the
wastage of
different types of
food items
because it
identifies the
wastage properly.
In the Rio
Olympics 2016,
the food wastage
was minimal in
nature because
the use of food
items was highly
controlled.
The management
of wastage in
Food and
Beverages was
handled in a
proper manner.
Suppliers This refers to the
ensuring the
regular supply of
various food
items.
N/A The management
of the different
sorts of supplies
was done
properly.
Flora & Food
Impact
Different variety
of Flora & Food
was present in the
event.
Presence of
multiple options
related to food in
the event.
Care of Flora &
Fauna was taken.
Energy & Power Lighting Decoration of
various sorts of
lights in the
event.
Good Decoration
related to lights in
the event.
Care of ensuring
good decoration
in the event was
taken.
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Sound Presence of good
sound system in
the event.
Sound system
was set up
properly for
ensuring good
sound quality.
Care of managing
noise pollution
was taken.
Source of Energy Sources of
Energy used
properly.
Proper use of
sources of energy.
Care of
management of
sources of energy
was taken.
Carbon
Emissions
Carbon Emissions N/A Carbon Emissions
were done at a
high-level in the
event due to the
nature of the
event.
Techniques to
reduce Carbon
Emissions were
used.
Waste Water Plan The usage of
water was done in
such a manner so
that the use of
water was
reduced.
Proper planning
was done for
ensuring the right
usage of water.
Water Plan
prepared to reduce
the wastage of
water.
Recycling bins N/A Presence of
different
recycling bins at
Olympic sites.
N/A
Waste
Management Plan
The management
of waste was
done properly as
a proper plan was
formulated for
Waste disposal
was done in an
appropriate
manner.
The management
of wastage was
done in a proper
manner at the
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dealing with the
waste which was
generated.
sites.
Transport Transport of
infrastructure of
site
Presence of
mediums of
transporting
infrastructure
available at the
site.
Transporting of
infrastructure
done in a proper
manner.
Presence of
different types of
ways of
transporting
infrastructure.
Transport of staff More presence of
local staff at the
event so as to
reduce the need
of transportation.
N/A Local workers
reduce the need of
transportation and
thus lower carbon
emissions are
produced
Transport of
performers
Transport of
performers was
done through
different buses.
Arrangement of
various buses was
done for this
purpose.
Smooth
arrangement for
transporting the
transformers.
Transport of
customers
Customers are
encouraged to
make the use of
public transport
so as to reduce
the dependencies
on traffic.
Presence of
parking at the
event.
The presence of
parking and the
presence of
different means of
public transport at
various types of
sites.
Fuel Used N/A N/A Higher-
consumption of
Diesel on Tour
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Buses.
Local Impacts Food Waste N/A Dustbins were
present at
different venues
of the events.
Food Waste was
disposed in a
proper manner.
Community and
Involvement
Educating of the
communities was
done prior to the
event.
N/A Communities
participated in an
active manner
within the event.
Increase in
Tourism
N/A N/A Tourism increased
in Rio Olympics
after the event.
Discounts N/A Student discount Discounts on a
wide range of
products was
given in the event.
Noise Pollution N/A A lot of noise
pollution was
caused due to the
different sports
played as a part of
the event.
Efforts were made
to control the
Noise Pollution in
the event.
Impact on
appearance/herita
ge of the event
N/A Improved the
appearance of Rio
de Janeiro as it
helped in the
overall
development of
the city.
The change which
was brought in the
city helped in
attracting more
tourists to the city.
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