- 2018 baseline reduced from 256,551 tCO2e to 228,793 tCO2e
- Carbon emissions fall despite three additional races in 2024 compared to 2018
Formula One has released its latest sustainability update which reveals the series has reduced its carbon footprint by 26 per cent since 2018.
But the series’ 2018 baseline has changed since the last update in April 2024, which revealed a 13 per cent reduction in carbon emissions. Originally, the starting figure was 256,551 tCO2e in 2018, but this has now been revised to 228,793 tCO2e.
With this new method, Formula One is calculated to have reduced its carbon emissions to 168,720 tCO2e in 2024, a 26 per cent reduction in six years. The series must record a further 24 per cent reduction by 2030 to meet its Net Zero target.
This progress is commendable considering Formula One held three additional races in 2024 compared to 2018, which emphasises that the series is making good progress in impactful areas. The data shows that, if Formula One had made no changes to its operations during this time, the sport’s carbon footprint would have increased by around ten per cent.
“We are strongly committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030. It is a concrete goal, already visible in the significant reduction of our sport’s carbon footprint,” said Stefano Domenicali, president and chief executive of Formula One.
“While continuing to grow globally, we have shown that sustainable development is possible and that the strategies we have adopted are yielding tangible results.
“Formula One has always been synonymous with innovation and the desire to improve. Once again, this mentality has allowed us to make important progress, not only for those who work in this world, but also for society as a whole.
“We will continue to pursue our projects and next year we will introduce new actions, such as the use of advanced sustainable fuels in all Formula One cars, a step that also opens up significant opportunities for road cars and other means of transport.
“We are proud of what we have achieved so far and remain determined to continue on this path. Thank you to the FIA [International Automobile Federation], the teams, partners and promoters for their fundamental contribution along this journey.”
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The areas in which Formula One has made the most progress include its emissions from factories and facilities, which have fallen 59 per cent since 2018 thanks to the continued transition to renewable energy.
Emissions from travel have fallen 25 per cent since 2018 as the series has increased the rollout of remote broadcast operations and the teams have made investments into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Approximately 140 personnel now work remotely at each race weekend.
Emissions from logistics have fallen nine per cent thanks to investment in SAF, and the use of biofuel trucks during the European leg of the season. New freight containers have also allowed for the use of more efficient 777 planes where available, resulting in an estimated 9,000 tCO2e reduction in carbon emissions.
Meanwhile, event operations emissions have reduced by 12 per cent on a per-race basis, as 80 per cent of race promoters now use some form of alternative energy source during a race weekend. But total event operations emissions have increased due to there being more races compared to 2018.
Ellen Jones, head of ESG at Formula One, added: “Today’s results are the product of years of hard work across the sport. All areas have been tasked with operating more sustainably, and it is through this sport-wide engagement and delivery that we are able to achieve such significant emissions reductions.
“Looking ahead, we have a clear plan to meet our commitments and to further demonstrate how growth can be positive for both sustainability and sporting outcomes.
“Formula One is uniquely placed to show that performance and sustainability can support one another, and I look forward to seeing the impact of initiatives already announced – such as changes to our race calendar from 2026 – as well as those yet to come, to help us deliver on our goals and beyond.”
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