Formula 1 renews commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2030

Formula 1 renews commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2030

NewsDesk 3 min read

Formula 1, on Monday renewed their commitment to become Net-Zero Carbon by 2030, as part of their wider Sustainability Strategy announced in 2019.

The sport has been involved in a drive towards sustainability and environmentally friendly practices, with the current generation of Turbo-Hybrid engines, one the most efficient engines in the world being an examples of F1’s new direction.

In 2019, F1 pledged to become a carbon neutral sport by 2030, and on Monday, a statement was released providing an update on the work done in that regard, along with a renewed commitment to see this initiative through.

The statement said: “In 2019, Formula 1 announced it aims to be Net-Zero Carbon by 2030 as part of the sport’s wider sustainability strategy.

“Three years in and we’ve made huge strides towards our goal and ahead of this weekend’s FORMULA 1 LENOVO BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2022 we want to remind the world of our commitment and our plans of how we’ll get there.

“Through new branding, our Net-Zero Carbon by 2030 messaging will have a strong presence around the pit and paddock throughout the season so our ambition is easily recognisable within the F1 community and beyond.

“However, you won’t have to wait eight years to experience the positive impact F1 is having, with many changes already being implemented such as remote broadcasting, which reduces cargo and transitioning, to 100% renewable energy across all F1 offices.

“In 2026 our 100% sustainable fuel will be introduced alongside the next generation of hybrid engines. Development is already well underway, and the ‘drop-in’ fuel will be transferrable to ICE’s worldwide, helping the whole automobile industry to decarbonise,” the statement added.

Formula 1 revealed: “The fuel is already in production with support from key stakeholders within F1 including the FIA, Aramco – an F1 Global Partner, fuel providers in the sport, the F1 teams and manufacturers.

“Whilst racing fuel represents less than 1% of our emissions, sustainable fuel is the area where F1 can have the greatest effect on the global transportation sector

“The fuel has purposely been designed with a ‘drop-in’ feature to help accelerate adoption and reduce costs for use in existing road cars (both internal combustion engines and hybrids),” they explained.

What has been done

Formula 1 also highlighted the work that has been done since the launch of he the Net Zero initiative back in 2019, saying: “We have taken a number of actions to reduce our carbon footprint including:

  • In the past 3 years, we have introduced remote broadcast operations, which has enabled us to reduce freight.
  • Redesigned our freight containers that enable more efficient aircraft to be used
  • Transitioned to 100% renewable energy in our F1 offices
  • Delivered our first carbon neutral broadcast production at Silverstone in 2021 and aim to earn this accreditation again in 2022 while applying the lessons learned to further races.
  • Achieved the highest Sustainability Management accreditation awarded by the FIA (3*accredited)
  • Issued guidance to all our Race Promoters to help assist them in best practice when running a sustainable event looking at key areas such as energy, plastic & waste, wellbeing & nature and local fan travel”

What’s to come

Formula 1 revealed future work to be done to achieve the Net Zero initiative within the set deadline of 2030.

The statement highlighted the following steps:

  • ” Taking action to regionalise our calendar which will help improve freight and travel logistics – this will be an ongoing process in the years to come to ensure that we are travelling efficiently as a World Championship
  • Exploring carbon reduction measures for fans travelling to Formula 1 events
    Working with F2 and F3 to trial sustainable fuels with their ability to test solutions at pace
  • Sharing the carbon reduction activities from across our sporting community to ensure that everyone understands how the wider sport is coming together to set and achieve our Net Zero goals
  • Continuing to switch to more efficient logistics and travel arrangements from air, sea, and
    land
  • Continuing to review our processes as the standards for carbon reductions evolve at pace
    to ensure that we are at the forefront of this key area”