The global racing organization reported a 13% reduction in its carbon footprint from 2018 to 2022.
Summary
Formula 1 unveiled its inaugural sustainability report on Tuesday, revealing a notable 13% decline in its carbon footprint during the 2022 racing season compared to a baseline set in 2018. The organization expressed optimism, stating that this reduction aligns with its target to achieve net-zero status by 2030.
Despite an increase in the number of races held since the benchmark year of 2018, Formula 1 managed to lower its emissions. This achievement was attributed to the expanded use of renewable energy to power its operations and a transition to remote work, which helped mitigate travel-related emissions.
In the 2022 season, Formula 1’s carbon footprint totaled 223,031 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, encompassing scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Logistics accounted for the largest portion (49%), followed by business travel (29%), event operations (12%), factories and facilities (10%), and car fuel, which comprised less than 1% of the total.
Background
F1 introduced its sustainability strategy in 2019, setting ambitious objectives to achieve net-zero status by the end of the decade and foster diversity and inclusivity within the sport.
Guided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, F1 prioritized emission reduction across various facets such as travel, logistics, and energy consumption at factories and events before resorting to carbon offsets.
“Sustainability is one of the most important factors to us not only as a sport, but as a business,” F1 CEO and President Stefano Domenicali said in a press release. “It is no longer enough for us to simply deliver great action and wheel-to-wheel racing on the track, we need to ensure that we are doing so in a sustainable way so our sport can thrive long into the future.”
To realize its climate-centric objectives, F1 overhauled its operations to achieve a 50% reduction in absolute carbon emissions compared to 2018 levels. The company targets transitioning its race cars to 100% sustainable fuel use by 2026, having already made significant strides with 55% adoption in the F2 and F3 junior series during the 2023 season.
In addition to sustainable fuel adoption, F1 is committed to reducing the carbon footprint associated with fuel production, manufacturing, and transportation processes by 80% through renewable energy utilization and sourcing fuel from non-food biological or waste sources.
Addressing emissions stemming from travel and logistics, F1 focused on minimizing kits and personnel travel, altering transportation modes, and optimizing race event schedules to shorten travel distances between venues.
Dedicated to fostering diversity, F1 launched the F1 Academy, an all-female driver series aimed at enhancing opportunities for women in motorsport. The corporation also aimed to broaden access for underrepresented groups to early career and driver development programs, extending from its offices to local communities and the racing circuit.
