The Winter Olympics and Paralympics have long been a celebration of snow, cold, and mountains, a global spectacle of sports built on reliable winter conditions. However, as temperatures rise and snowfall becomes less predictable, the foundation of these games is at risk. Environmental experts argue that Olympic organizers are overselling the sustainability of the Games, and with Italy set to host the next Winter Olympics in just weeks, the tension is already shaping planning decisions, infrastructure choices, and climate promises.
Climate Change and Winter Sports:
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has acknowledged the problem, with a 2024 study finding that only half of previous Winter Olympics host cities would still be cold enough to host the Games by the 2050s. The ski-resilience index tracking snow reliability ranked many resorts as increasingly vulnerable, with Cortina d’Ampezzo, the main site of the upcoming Games, in the middle. Researchers doubt what happens once the Olympic spotlight fades.
The IOC's Climate Goals:
Despite these concerns, the IOC insists its climate goals remain on track. It aims to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and requires host cities to rely almost entirely on existing or temporary venues. Snow competition sites must remain 'climate reliable' until at least mid-century.
The Reality of Sustainability:
However, temperatures in the Italian Alps are already above long-term averages, and natural snowpack, central to fair competition, is becoming increasingly hit-or-miss. Artificial snow and refrigeration are now necessities, not backups. Organizers say Italy has a solid history of sustainability, but the accounting has major limits. It covers what organizers directly control, but excludes spectator travel, often a major source of emissions at major sporting events.
The Role of Travel and Accommodation:
The biggest impacts almost always come from travel and accommodation, according to sports sustainability expert Tiberio Daddi. He says Olympic accounting should estimate emissions from spectator travel, athlete and staff mobility, and logistics. Daddi criticizes the uneven application of ISO 14064, which focuses on carbon but often overlooks waste, noise, visual impacts, and biodiversity.
Creative Accounting and Reuse:
Organizers say 92% of venues already exist, but major renovations to existing facilities are not fully reflected in emissions totals. This is similar to Qatar's approach with the FIFA World Cup, where they claimed responsibility for only two weeks of stadium emissions. Early tenders to construct the sliding center in Cortina reportedly failed, and costs climbed to over €100 million.
The Future of the Winter Games:
The bigger issue remains: huge international spectacles are antithetical to being sustainable. International Ski and Snowboard Federation president Johan Eliasch warns that rising costs, climate pressure, and underused Olympic infrastructure are pushing the Winter Games toward a breaking point. He advocates for a rotation model, with a small number of climate-stable venues taking turns hosting. Ideas for reshaping the Winter Games continue to circulate, but none offers an easy fix.
