US stock car racing's Nascar has announced its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2035.
Contract:
- Plans to reduce all scope one and two emissions over the next 12 years through strategic investment, collaborative partnerships, as well as operational changes
- Coincides with launch of Nascar Impact, an umbrella platform targeting sustainability, community engagement and social initiatives
- Short-term objectives include rolling out 100 per cent renewable electricity at Nascar-owned facilities and racetracks
- Priorities over the next five years include a new sustainable racing fuel, comprehensive recycling across tracks and offices, as well as electric vehicle (EV) charging station infrastructure.
Context: The emissions goal was established following the company’s first comprehensive carbon footprint assessment, completed earlier this year. The study measured total carbon emissions from all Nascar offices, owned racetracks, national series races, and related operations in 2022, and the results will be used to baseline future emissions reporting.
This move follows other major motorsport series like Formula One, which has a net zero target date of 2030, and IndyCar, which introduced a 100 per cent renewable race fuel this season, in placing sustainability objectives as a top priority.
Comment: Steve Phelps, president of Nascar, said: “As a sport, Nascar has a responsibility to serve and impact the communities where we live and race while contributing to a healthier planet. With the support of our industry, Nascar Impact will drive our strategic sustainability, community and social initiatives as we continue to make progress across these important areas.”
Consequence: This was a necessary step for a series that appears to be lagging behind on a sustainability front compared to others around the world. Nascar was recently ranked the eighth-most sustainable series in the world in a report by Enovation Consulting, behind comparably smaller series like the European Rally Championship and the World Touring Car Cup.