- Mugello returns to the top of the ranking
- Barcelona-Catalunya second, Misano third
- Silverstone most improved circuit since last year
Italy's Mugello Circuit has been named the most sustainable circuit in Enovation Consulting’s third Sustainable Circuit Index (SCI).
The SCI ranks the sustainability performance of 97 global circuits against seven key sustainability factors: certifications, accreditations, awards, environmental performance, social performance, economic impact, and sustainability approach and engagement.
The Tuscan venue has displaced Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya at the top of the rankings, with Mugelly returning to the position it achieved in the very first SCI. Rounding out the top three is fellow Italian circuit Misano.
The SCI report says Mugello’s continued focus on improving sustainability measures both at an operational and strategic level, as well as enhancements in its public disclosures, ensured it returned to the top of the ranking.
In second place, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has implemented several significant improvements in the past year to maintain its leading place in the ranking. These include the launch of a strategic plan, aimed at making the venue more environmentally and economically sustainable, the certification of its CSR management system in line with the UNSDGs, and using profits from onsite waste reduction initiatives to maintain the circuit’s green spaces.
Misano has entered the top three for the first time, climbing from fifth in last year’s ranking. The circuit has made strides in obtaining relevant industry certifications, including the three-star environmental accreditation from the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and ISO 20121 accreditation. Misano has also prioritised fan campaigns such as the ‘Misano Green Circuit’ initiative to encourage attendees to minimise their own environmental impact via sustainable mobility options.
Elsewhere in the ranking, Silverstone receives particular focus thanks to an improvement of 29 points on the SCI scale. The Northamptonshire circuit is tied for fourth with Circuit Paul Ricard. Each circuit is scored out of 100 as part of Enovation Consulting’s review.
A large part of this improvement was down to the installation of over 2,700 solar panel modules, providing over 13 per cent of the site’s annual power requirements, its partnership with local charities to redistribute surplus food year round, its engagement with schools and local communities, and its joint fan engagement initiative with Sky Zero at the 2022 British Grand Prix.
The SCI ranking does not factor in temporary circuits, as it says there is currently no certain way of measuring the sustainability of these tracks.
“Sustainability in sport is at a crucial inflection point; progress is being made rapidly and the circuits that position themselves as future-facing innovators are setting the agenda, driving change, and harvesting the rewards,” said Dr. Cristiana Pace, founder and chief executive of Enovation Consulting.
“Conversely, the laggards have to play catch-up in the face of increasingly loud calls from championships, teams, and fanbases to explain their lack of engagement. There is so much to celebrate in this year’s Index, and circuits just starting out on their journey towards a sustainable future should take the opportunity to explore the range of ways they can enhance their ESG credentials and support global efforts towards decarbonisation.”
Notably, despite its well-publicised sustainability goals, Formula One only races at two of the top five most sustainable circuits, and it looks set to be leaving Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a street circuit in Madrid by 2027.