Carbon emission reduction and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

ABSTRACT

This study estimated the CO2 emissions produced by air travel that was consumed by inbound Olympics-related personnel (International Federation, media, Olympic family, and marketing partners) during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Results revealed that reduced attendance of Olympics-related personnel due to COVID travel restrictions saved 129,686.0 t CO2 emissions. This reduction equates to 38.1% of the travel emissions of overseas spectators. It is concluded that minimising event-related personnel reduces gross sports event emissions.