Paris 2024 chief wants Olympics and Paralympics to be ‘new model’ of ‘spectacular and sustainable’

“We have to change our habits,” said Estanguet, a three-time Olympic canoe champion. “We have to change the way we decide to organise the games or World Championships or World Cups.

“Otherwise people will not accept different rules for major events and normal lives, so that is why we set the level of ambition very high in terms of sustainability and to deliver a message.

“We have plans for a fantastic celebration while also demonstrating that it is feasible to reduce the carbon footprint by half because otherwise the future of the Games will be in danger and we have to demonstrate it is possible to still deliver it.”

The Games have made extensive use of existing and temporary facilities in Paris with only two building projects required – for the Athletes’ Village and the Aquatics Centre.

The Village uses a variety of low carbon initiatives, including the use of sustainably sourced wood instead of steel for the building’s structural frame, while the Aquatics Centre has a concave roof, lowering the space of the area that needs heating.

However, there has been criticism of the decision to hold the surfing competition in Tahiti – 9,760 miles (15,700km) and a 22-hour flight from the French capital.

The French overseas territory’s Teahupo’o wave in the South Pacific was chosen in preference to beaches in south-west France and in Brittany.

“We want to be the first Games to be fully aligned with the Paris Agreement. In terms of climate ambitions, that is very important,” said Georgina Grenon, Paris 2024’s head of environmental excellence.

The agreement unites almost all the world’s nations – for the first time – in a single aim to cut the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming.

Agreements were made to “pursue efforts” to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C, and to keep them “well below” 2.0C above pre-industrial times.

“This was part of a different way of organising the Games to be more sustainable,” Grenon added.

“The most important thing is to reduce emissions. We see the event as a laboratory for innovation for looking for solutions on how to reduce and then leave those reductions as a legacy.

“We are counting on everyone – athletes and spectators – to play their part.

Grenon said Paris 2024 will be the first games to use 100% renewable electricity, comparing it to the 4million litres of diesel London 2012 used to power generators. Three countries have already agreed to send their athlete delegations by train, the Netherlands, Belgium and Great Britain.