The Olympic Games are a global event with major environmental impacts. Environmental sustainability plays an important role in ensuring that major events such as the Olympics can take place without harming ecosystems. Environmental sustainability aims to preserve biodiversity by preventing overconsumption of natural resources. This can be achieved through steps such as reducing carbon emissions, energy efficiency, recycling practices and conserving water resources. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has comprehensively defined environmental sustainability strategies for the Olympics, and various Olympic Games have attempted to achieve these goals.

The 1992 Barcelona Olympics was an important milestone in terms of environmental sustainability, transforming industrial areas in the city and creating green spaces. Sydney 2000 set an example by introducing the principles of environmental sustainability into the modern Olympic Games. However, games such as Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004 have been criticized for not adequately achieving environmental goals. Tokyo 2020 took a number of innovative steps to reduce its carbon footprint, but some projects were left unfinished due to COVID-19. Paris 2024 plans to set an important precedent in Olympic history with goals that emphasize environmental sustainability. These games have been carried out with strategies such as sustainable transportation, energy management and circular economy to minimize environmental impacts.