Formula E becomes world’s first net-zero certified sport series

The 2019/20 season of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship is currently on hold due to Covid-19

The company has been measuring the carbon associated with its events since the first series was held in 2014-15 and has been gradually implementing measures to reduce emissions, such as minimising business travel and closing the loop on batteries.

As such, it said in a statement, it was able to offset the equivalent of all residual emissions resulting from its six series to date. It has purchased carbon credits which support projects that are verified by REDD and the UN, in line with the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Clean Development Mechanism.

Projects supported include wind farms in Argentina, Uruguay and Morocco; biomethane capture from landfills in Chile, Mexico, Malaysia and the US; and biomass projects in China. Formula E said that each of the schemes are “socially sustainable” and that they will advance clean energy production as the electric vehicle (EV) transition continues to grip the globe.

While other sporting events have set net-zero targets – including Formula 1 (F1), which has worked with Futerra to develop a pathway to net-zero by 2030 – Formula E is the first to be certified as net-zero for all series.

“We have a responsibility to minimise the environmental impact of our global sport and are pleased to support vital environmental projects in each of our race markets,” Formula E’s chief executive Jamie Reigle said. “As a sport built on purpose, we remain committed to growing our sustainable practices and hope to inspire others to join us on our journey.”

The fast lane to net-zero

The announcement from Formula E comes shortly after the company joined more than 150 others in calling on the EU to commit to reducing its emissions by at least 55% by 2030, as part of its Green Deal headlined by a 2050 net-zero target. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has since confirmed that a 55% target will be enshrined in law.

Earlier this year, Formula E team Envision Virgin Racing confirmed that it was the first racing team in the world to be certified as carbon neutral.

Sarah George

Comments (1)

  1. David Parker says:

    Whilst I applaud efforts to reduce CC impacts of operations, I’m willing to bet this includes a substantial proportion of offsetting. It may well be certified, but so is forestry, palm oil etc, but wouldn’t qualify under ScienceBasedTarget.org criteria. I’d like to see them move forward using DIRECT action to reduce emissions, such as installing their own renewables, rather than passing it off to a possibly hypothetical action elsewhere.

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