The 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games organizers have unveiled their impact & sustainability plan for the 2028 Summer Olympics, which includes ambitious pledges to improve local communities, support small businesses, increase youth sports participation, and implement sustainable solutions. Known as a “no-build” and “transit-first” Games, LA28 aims to utilize existing venues, promote electric vehicles and public transportation, and minimize waste by implementing innovative strategies.

“LA28 is more than just a single event on the global scene. This is an once-in-a-lifetime chance to improve our communities and set an example,” stated Reynold Hoover, CEO of LA28. The plan’s emphasis on sustainability, equality, and resilience aims to create a lasting legacy of social, economic, and environmental benefits.

How Will LA28 Make the Games More Sustainable?

The impact & sustainability plan for the 2028 Summer Olympics aims to minimize its environmental impact while serving as a model for other Olympic hosts.

1. “No-Build” Policy: LA28 would repurpose existing venues, eliminating needless building and reducing carbon emissions, in contrast to previous Olympics that were noted for their pricey new stadiums.
2. Transit-First Approach: To attend events, athletes and fans will be encouraged to use electric shuttles, public transportation, and other environmentally friendly modes of transportation.
3. Waste Reduction Strategies: For food packaging and event infrastructure, recyclable and reusable materials will be given priority. Free hydration stations will be available to encourage fans to bring reusable bottles.
4. Resilient by Nature Initiative: This program will address three key areas to address climate-related issues in Los Angeles:

• Resilience to wildfire and restoration of nature
• Protection of the oceans
• Solutions for cooling during heat waves

“One of our commitments is that we are going to encourage fans to bring refillable, reusable water bottles to the venues and make free hydration stations available, just as one way that we can reduce waste at the source,” stated Becky Dale, LA28 Vice President of Sustainability.

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How Will Local Businesses Benefit from the LA28 Games?

To support the Los Angeles business community during and after the Games, the impact & sustainability plan for the 2028 Summer Olympics places a strong emphasis on fair economic opportunity.

• Community Business Supplier Program: To ensure that contracts and procurement opportunities benefit the local economy, the Community Business Supplier Program was established to include local companies in the Games’ supply chain.
• Summit Events: To prepare local suppliers for future opportunities, LA28 has organized Sports and Entertainment Summits in collaboration with the City and County of Los Angeles.
• Emphasis on Equity: Extra measures are being taken to lower obstacles that prevent small and minority-owned companies from entering into contracts related to the Games.

“When we leave, we want to make sure that we are not only uplifting businesses for LA28-related opportunities but also making them stronger for the future,” stressed LA28 Vice President of Impact Erikk Aldridge.

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How Is LA28 Supporting Youth Sports?

The LA28’s significant investment in youth sports programs around Los Angeles is one of its most significant pledges.

• PlayLA Initiative: The PlayLA Initiative, which has received up to $160 million in funding, provides children aged 3 to 17 with affordable or free access to over 40 sports, including adaptive programs for kids of all abilities.
• Enrollment Objective: Through PlayLA and other collaborations, LA28 is on target to assist 2 million youth enrollments by 2028.
• Equity in Access: By providing opportunities across a range of communities and income levels, the program seeks to remove obstacles to participation.

“We look forward to developing additional programs that will uplift youth through sports and maintaining a robust PlayLA program in partnership with the city,” Aldridge said.

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What Long-Term Legacy Will LA28 Leave Behind?

Beyond the Games’ spectacle, LA28 aims to leave a lasting legacy based on sustainability, community empowerment, and resilience.

• Environmental Legacy: Resilient by Nature projects will enhance cooling strategies to combat urban heat, restore ecosystems, and enhance wildfire management.
• Economic Legacy: After the Games, local companies will be stronger and have gained procurement expertise that will benefit them for years to come.
• Social Legacy: Investing in young sports can help create healthier and more active communities for years to come.
• Global Impact: It is anticipated that future Olympic hosts will be motivated to prioritize existing infrastructure, clean energy, and equity-focused planning, following LA28’s example of sustainability and inclusivity.

“Building on clean energy and transportation, creating economic opportunity, and using existing venues, these Games will leave a lasting, sustainable legacy for generations to come,“ said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, describing the goal.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How is LA28 different from previous Olympic Games in terms of sustainability?

In contrast to many previous Games, LA28 will promote public transportation, forgo building a new stadium (a “no-build”), and dedicate itself to cutting-edge environmental initiatives, such as Resilient by Nature.

Q2. What opportunities exist for small businesses during the LA28 Games?

Small and minority-owned companies can obtain contracts through the Community Business Supplier Program and procurement summits, guaranteeing equitable access to the financial advantages of the Games.

Q3. How will LA28 benefit young people in Los Angeles?

Underpinned by up to $160 million in financing, the PlayLA program will support 2 million youth enrollments and create opportunities for kids of all abilities by offering inexpensive access to over 40 sports.

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