Why sustainability is being mandated by F1

While the main focus of the press release that was issued following the February F1 Commission meeting focused on the still-fluid 2021 calendar and the first outlines of the 2025 power unit and chassis, an innocuous and yet extremely significant statement was also made about sustainability.

At this meeting, the FIA announced that both Formula 1 as an organisation and the McLaren and Mercedes F1 teams, as well as three circuits: (Paul Ricard, Barcelona and Mugello), had achieved three-star environmental accreditation to FIA standards. This is the highest level of environmental accreditation in motorsport and it follows the guidelines of both ISO 14001 and EMAS, the EU eco-management and audit scheme.

While the organisations that have already achieved this milestone are to be congratulated, particularly McLaren which achieved it in 2013, the real significance is that for the first time it was agreed that such accreditation should be a requirement of future regulations.

The proposal is that by 2025 all stakeholders, promoters, organisers, teams and circuits will hold three-star accreditation, with a desire for all teams to be in this position by 2023 prior to it being integrated into the 2025 Sporting Regulations and hence a requirement of entry into the world championship. This represents a significant reinforcement to the stated objectives of both the FIA and F1, which has launched an ambitious sustainability plan to have a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030.

Paul Ricard is one of three circuits to achieve three-star environmental accreditation

Photo by: GP Racing

What does this mean for the teams and the sport? Perhaps most importantly it is a three-level scheme, with accreditation going from ‘basic’ to ‘best’ practice, thereby giving teams a chance to enter a glidepath to a sustainable future without a complete upheaval of the organisation’s current practices. 

At the first level teams need to demonstrate basic environmental performance and a commitment to improve. They then move on to a commitment to follow internationally developed roadmaps toward environmental management. Finally, they can be awarded three-star status having both demonstrated best practice and made a commitment to seek continual improvement through the implementation of an environmental management system.

Such a commitment, whether it be in motorsport or in society as a whole, comes at a cost to the participants. So why does the FIA and F1 feel the need to take on such a burden? The simple answer is that our audience is expecting it and our partners and promotors are insisting on it.

Ross Brawn often says that no one should be ashamed of being an F1 fan. It is a very apt aphorism that will become more and more fitting in the future as focus increases on all matters environmental

Sustainability has been an untold story in Formula 1’s 70-year history – resulting in the development of the world’s most efficient hybrid engines, as well as numerous improvements in other areas. Many of these innovations have had a multiplier effect, improving efficiency across a wide range of industries and hence benefitting the consumer and the environment.

PLUS: Why Honda's F1 exit will not force F1 hybrid U-turn

Being at the forefront of automotive innovation gives Formula 1 a global platform to reduce and eliminate carbon emissions in an industry that is an effective microcosm of so many others. In so doing, Formula 1 can demonstrate, ahead of the radical innovations being introduced to the cars and power units themselves running up to 2025, that we all need to consider the bigger picture rather than just focusing on point of use.

McLaren achieved ISO14001 certification in 2013

Photo by: GP Racing

That’s not to say that point of use can be ignored. The 2025 power units will not only have a near-zero carbon footprint through the efficient use of advanced sustainable fuels, but by the same year we will also ensure that all our events are sustainable.

This will mean the use of sustainable materials at all events with single-use plastics being eliminated and all waste reused, recycled or composted. Additionally, we will provide incentives and tools to offer every fan a greener way to reach the race and ensure circuits and facilities enhance fan wellbeing and nature, as well as providing opportunities for local people, businesses and causes to get more involved in the action during a Formula 1 race weekend. 

While environmental attention will continue to focus on the engines in the cars, these represent only 0.7% of the total carbon footprint of F1. With 19.3% accounted for by F1 factories and facilities, 27.7% by travel and a huge 45% by the logistics of moving around the globe, it is clear there are many other issues to tackle.

In the Formula 1 operation itself a big effort was made to reduce freight weight associated with the broadcast centre, timing systems and event organisation by 70 tonnes last year. In a typical season the freight covers around 122,000kms by air. That 70-tonne saving represents a reduction in CO2 output from aircraft of over 5,500 tonnes.

PLUS: How F1 can attain environmental excellence

Delivering the plan will involve F1 and the FIA working with all of its partners, promoters, sponsors and the teams, and building on the work that many of them are already delivering on sustainability. Ross Brawn, the Managing Director of Motorsports at F1, often says that no one should be ashamed of being an F1 fan. It is a very apt aphorism that will become more and more fitting in the future as focus increases on all matters environmental. 

We race because we love racing, but racing with an environmental purpose will speed us all to a socially acceptable, sustainable future, thereby safeguarding the sport we enjoy so much.

Sustainability has been one of the untold stories of motor racing

Photo by: GP Racing