The Mercedes Formula One team cut down their total market-based race team control emissions with sustainability aviation fuel (SAF) by ten per cent during 2023, as detailed in their latest sustainability report.
Confirmed:
- Reduction in race team control emissions represents a saving of over 1,700 total carbon dioxide tonnes
- There was a reduction of 6,695 total carbon dioxide tonnes in business travel emissions in 2023 through the use of SAF
- A 67 per cent reduction in emissions and a saving of 339 carbon dioxide tonnes was reported through the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO 100) biofuel across the European season in race and hospitality trucks, and generators
- The team said it exceeded the target of ensuring 25 per cent of new hires came from under-represented groups every year since 2021
Context:
In 2022, Mercedes became the first global sports team to invest in SAF, a renewable or waste-derived aviation fuel. It is an emerging technology that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) believes will be crucial to reducing future international aviation emissions.
The team has set a target of reducing its race team control emissions by 50 per cent by 2026, ahead of going net zero in race team control emissions by 2030.
As well as implementing environmental and social measures, Mercedes also said it has implemented a governance, ethics and compliance framework, as well as publishing an integrity code.
Comment:
“Yes, we report on our results – our footprint; our demographics; our codes and policies but it’s much more than that – it’s about our people; their collective power and our impact on the world within and beyond motorsport,” said Toto Wolff, team principal and chief executive.
“This reaches well beyond what we must do; it’s about our innovation and what we can achieve by inspiring others to follow. We are privileged to work in a sport that demands high-performance teamwork, technology, and innovation. We have a responsibility to harness those elements, as well as our people and our global platform, to go further faster. It matters to me, our team members, our partners and, importantly, fans of our sport.
“Ultimately, our ambition is to become one of the most sustainable global professional sports teams. It’s a long-term goal but an important one; we set ourselves big challenges and recognise that it will take all of us to get there.”
Coming next:
The team has set numerous targets for 2024, including having 100 per cent biofuel usage across the logistics of the European season.
Go Deeper:
- Synthetic fuels are coming to F1, but here’s why they could also be a solution for the global automotive industry
- Diversity, equity and inclusion guide: Tracking the initiatives driving change in motorsport
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