Why Formula 1’s Net Zero Carbon plan is an important step towards sustainability.
Since the launch of the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’, Formula 1 has seen a tremendous increase in viewership of around 30%. And with the recent acquisition from Liberty Media of the pinnacle of motorsport, this viewership is only set to increase. The rise in attention to the sport comes with a certain pressure on its sustainability. Formula 1 therefore launched a ‘Net Zero Carbon’ plan to reduce emissions. But where exactly do these emissions come from, and is it possible for a sport that finds its entertainment in the sound of combustion to become ‘Net Zero’?
Formula 1's carbon footprint: beyond the racetrack
In 2019, Formula 1 stated it produced 256 000 tons of CO2e each year, equivalent to the emissions of all motorcycles in Belgium. With only around 20 races of one and a half hours on the calendar each year, this is quite a lot. Although one might think the main emission factors are the race cars, only 0,7% of emission can be attributed to the power unit. The biggest contributors are the logistics and the facilities surrounding Formula 1. To understand why 45% of the total emissions are caused by the logistics, we need to understand what it includes. All road, air or sea logistics across the sports includes the movement of team’s equipment (including the race cars), Formula 1 equipment, Paddock Club equipment and race tires. Taking the global setting of Formula 1 into account, one can imagine the logistics impact. Last weekend the teams landed in Qatar, while in two weeks, they need to be ready to race in the United States. The constant transport from country to country or even continent to continent demands a heavy toll. This excludes the business travel for the teams and major event partners, which attributes another 27,7% to the total emissions.
Overview of the cause of emissions in Formula 1.
Figure: Econopolis Strategy, Data: Formula 1
Climate change and the dire consequences of extreme weather on the sport's viability
The fact that sustainability has become an obligatory point of focus for every sector this decade undoubtedly pressured Formula 1 to come up with its own sustainability strategy. However, this year alone, nature itself gave Formula 1 clear incentives to reduce global warming. The Emilia-Romagna GP in Italy was cancelled due to heavy flooding in the region after unprecedented rainfall. Opposing that was the heat and humidity in Qatar last weekend that made several drivers pass out after the race, even forcing one of the drivers to call it a day during the race. These extreme weather conditions clearly hurt the sport. And with cancelled race-weekends not being replaceable, more extreme conditions will make the sport economically fragile.
Formula 1 is driving the future of green innovation and shaping tomorrow's auto industry
The decarbonization of Formula 1 is a very interesting case. As it is unlikely that the racecar would be powered by batteries, looking at hydrogen or e-fuels is an interesting way to have zero-emission racecars. E-fuels especially are interesting as they likely require little to no adaptation of the current ICE structure. These fuels are the same molecules as traditional fuels, but instead of being made from fossil fuels, they are made by combining clean hydrogen and captured CO2. For transport the sector could rely on electric trucks. Decarbonization of aviation is trickier, especially for long distances, so relying on offsets as a transition solution may be required. Furthermore, they can – and have – to eliminate unnecessary trips and leverage their sustainability goals to inspire wider change.
Indeed, although Formula 1 just looks like a sport like any other at first glance, the possible impact it can have on the car and event industry is immense. To develop a Formula 1 car, 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton stated that it takes 1200 people. This makes Formula 1 a pioneer in numerous technologies and innovations. From the most efficient combustion engine (thus reducing the emission) to aerodynamics and improved break design. Backed up by investments from enormous sponsorships, Formula 1 is almost more akin to a research center than to a sport. Numerous developments in the cars on the road today came from the Formula 1 facilities. This is where the real advantage comes from having a sport like Formula 1 focusing on sustainability. They pride themselves for being the pinnacle of innovation and it is of no surprise they want to keep that status. By making sustainability the center point, the general industry can optimally leverage new technologies they produce and even shape the cars of the future. They also have experience in creating large scale events almost every week, providing a sustainable blueprint for other organizations. From banning plastic water bottles at the Singapore GP, to building a biome for bees at the Japanese racetrack in Suzuka, the way towards sustainability seems limitless.
The power of sports in championing sustainability and driving technological breakthroughs
The importance of sports becoming aware of sustainability can’t be underestimated. With billions of fans across the world interacting with their favorite team or player, it provides one of the best platforms to spread awareness. Their real contributing factor for a more sustainable future lies more in their innovations and technologies, rather than the emission reduction at face value. Hopefully, Formula 1 keeps innovating after 2030 to go from “Net Carbon Neutral”, to simply “Carbon Neutral” in the future.