Carbon Neutral Winter Olympics 2022 Ascribe to Carbon Reduction Measures, Afforestation, and Covid-19 Restrictions

The 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing claims to be carbon neutral by embedding green measures at all phases of the event, even under the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic. Here based on a comprehensive framework of 27 indicators to systematically evaluate the total carbon emission before, during, and after the Games, we found that the 2022 Winter Olympic Games is beyond carbon neutrality, as a carbon sink of 2316 (2093-2538 at 95% confidence) ktons, largely due to carbon reduction from reusing old venues and the fewer audience due to China’s strict COVID-19 restrictions by 1721 and 326 ktons CO2 respectively. Besides, the carbon sink from afforestation is 1709 (1404–2013) ktons. Recycling measures, especially reusing sports venues, contributed much higher to carbon neutrality than low-carbon technologies, suggesting optimal pathways of emission reduction are crucial. The study demonstrated the potential of broader carbon-neutral activities in China.