Formula 1 Achieves 26% Carbon Emission Reduction on Path to Net Zero by 2030

Formula 1 Achieves 26% Carbon Emission Reduction on Path to Net Zero by 2030

Formula 1 has announced a groundbreaking achievement in its sustainability efforts, reporting a 26% reduction in carbon emissions by the end of 2024, as part of its ambitious goal to become Net Zero by 2030.

This significant progress has been driven by collaboration across the sport, including contributions from teams, partners, promoters, and the FIA. Since 2018, the race calendar has expanded from 21 to 24 events, with race attendance soaring from 4 million to 6.5 million, and the global fanbase now exceeds 826 million. Without the recent sustainability initiatives, the sport’s carbon footprint would have increased by an estimated 10%.

Commitment to Sustainability

Formula 1’s carbon footprint now stands at 168,720 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent), down from 228,793 tCO2e in 2018. This improvement reflects a re-baselining of emissions data, aligning with industry best practices to ensure genuine progress is reported.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, stated, “We are strongly committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030. Our significant reduction in carbon emissions demonstrates that sustainable development is possible, even as we continue to grow globally.”

The upcoming introduction of advanced sustainable fuels in all Formula 1 cars is expected to further enhance these efforts, presenting opportunities for broader applications in road vehicles.

Key Initiatives Driving Change

Several initiatives have contributed to this remarkable reduction:

– Factory and Facility Emissions: A 59% reduction has been achieved, equating to over 34,000 tCO2e, primarily through the transition to renewable energy sources.

– Travel Emissions: A 25% reduction, almost 20,000 tCO2e, has been realized through remote broadcast operations and investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for team travel.

– Logistics Emissions: A 9% reduction, amounting to 6,438 tCO2e, has come from using more efficient freight methods and biofuel trucks in Europe.

– Event Operations: Emissions per race have decreased by 12%, driven by renewable energy usage at events.

Looking Ahead

Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1, emphasized the importance of a sport-wide commitment to sustainability, stating, “Today’s results are the product of years of hard work. We have a clear plan to meet our commitments and demonstrate that growth can be positive for both sustainability and sporting outcomes.”