The headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has attained LEED Platinum v4.1 certification for operations and maintenance just as the five-year anniversary of it's inauguration approaches. The certification, the highest level within the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building program, highlights Olympic House's exceptional sustainability performance.
From its inception, Olympic House aimed to meet the highest sustainability standards in alignment with the IOC's strategic roadmap, Olympic Agenda 2020, and Olympic Agenda 2020+5. This approach emphasized resource efficiency, circular economy principles, integration with the local landscape, and user comfort. Consequently, when the building was inaugurated in June 2019, it was recognized as one of the world's most sustainable buildings. It was the first to obtain LEED Platinum v4 certification for Design and Construction, earning 94 points—the highest score at that time.
IOC President Thomas Bach expressed pride in this accomplishment, stating, "We are very proud to receive the prestigious LEED Platinum certification for the operations of IOC Headquarters' Olympic House."
Peter Templeton, President & CEO of the US Green Building Council, highlighted the significance of this certification: "The LEED Platinum certification of Olympic House in Lausanne demonstrates the International Olympic Committee's commitment to maintaining the highest level of green building performance. "
Assessing Olympic House's performance across several key metrics, such as energy and water usage, waste management, air quality, user comfort, and staff commuting, the LEED Platinum v4.1 certification remains valid for three years.
Optimization measures undertaken during Olympic House's design, construction, and since its inauguration have led to significant reductions in electricity and water consumption. The IOC has halved its energy use per square meter and decreased its use of potable water per occupant by 50 to 75 percent compared to the previous IOC headquarters.
The IOC has additionally achieved a 50 percent decrease in non-recyclable office waste per employee since 2019, through strategic initiatives such as reducing the number of bins, minimizing single-use plastics, and promoting recycling practices. The organization has also reduced its food waste by over 50 percent through measures like selling leftover food from the staff restaurant.
Implementing measures to promote active and healthy lifestyles, the IOC includes subsidies and infrastructure to encourage sustainable mobility and flexible work structures. These initiatives contribute to reducing carbon emissions and foster sustainable practices among IOC staff, over 60 percent of whom now use sustainable mobility options such as public transportation, walking, or cycling.
Danish architecture firm 3XN in collaboration with Swiss architecture firm IttenBrechbuhl designed Olympic House to embrace a holistic approach to sustainability. Every aspect of the building, from construction and energy and water efficiency to daily operations and user well-being, was specifically planned to meet the highest sustainability standards.
Olympic House exemplifies the IOC's broader sustainability initiatives, which include goals to cut the organization's carbon footprint by 30 percent by 2024 and by 50 percent by 2030, aligning with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. To achieve these goals, the IOC has established travel carbon budgets for each department and event.
In addition to reducing its environmental footprint, the IOC is committed to generating tangible local benefits and supporting the local and national economy. During the construction of Olympic House, 80 percent of the expenditure was directed to local businesses. A 2022 study by the International Academy for Sports Science and Technology (AISTS) highlighted a 57 percent increase in the economic impact of the IOC and International Sports Organizations on the Swiss economy from 2015 to 2019, compared to 2008 to 2013. This growth positively influenced employment, business tourism, and the construction sector.
The LEED Platinum certification for Olympic House comes as Paris 2024 approaches, marking less than 100 days until the first Olympic Games fully aligned with Olympic Agenda 2020. Paris 2024 is committed to hosting more sustainable Games, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions by half compared to previous Games and creating enduring benefits for local communities. The strategy for Paris 2024 covers all aspects from construction and energy management to venue operations, transport, catering, and digital services, emphasizing the principles of using less, using better, and using longer.
