I am not gonna lie – I didn’t expect it, and it took me a little off guard. Last week saw Formula 1 release its first ever impact report. Over 60-page document represents sports commitment to environmental sustainability since the introduction of Sustainability Strategy back in 2019. And although I had some reservations when the news emerged, I believe Formula 1 Impact Report (2023) is good news for at least three reasons.
I have never been a fan of an ever-growing Formula 1 calendar. 24 race weekends a year, plus testing, is a hectic amount for a human organism to cope with. And I am not talking only about drivers. At times, as a fan, I felt overdosed on F1. The never-ending cycle of racing took away the feeling of exclusiveness. I’ll take quality over quantity any day of the week.
Of course, there is also an environmental factor. More races mean more travel for teams and their equipment. Therefore, I genuinely feared the 24-race calendar would lead to more emissions being produced. To my surprise, data published in the Formula 1 Impact Report proved me wrong. At least for now!
More races, fewer emissions
The most universal data, which can tell a tad more about an organization’s environmental impact is a carbon footprint. To simplify, we can say it gathers emissions from direct and indirect activity and presents it as a CO2 equivalent. First time, Formula 1 disclosed information on its carbon footprint for the 2018 season. The calculator stopped at 256,551 tons of CO2 emissions.
In 2018, Formula 1 hosted 21 races, and it’s logical to assume that an increase in the number of races would lead to a higher carbon footprint. However, surprisingly, the recently published Formula 1 Impact Report has revealed that Formula 1 actually reduced its emissions by over 30,000 tons (13%). How did they manage to do it, given an extra race (note: new carbon footprint covers 2022 season) added to a calendar?
The 2022 carbon footprint integrated into Formula 1 Impact Report can be broken down into 5 categories – F1 Car Fuel, Factories and Facilities, Event Operations, Logistics and Business Travel. What paved the way for overall emissions cut was use of renewable energy for Factories and Facilities, and expansion of remote operations, allowing reductions in Business Travel.
Given the search for optimization in Formula 1 never ends, I believe this trend can continue. Sustainability is now just another area of the sport with a constant drive for an improvement, and there is certainly more to come. Logistics, in context of which F1 has already introduced biodiesel trucks last season, can be the next game-changer in the near future.
At the same time, as sustainability in Formula 1 predominantly resolve around technology on and off the track, it is a great shame F1 is unlikely to consider a shorter and more regionalized calendar. The success story of cutting carbon footprint would be even greater.
Ubiquitous sustainable fuels
Speaking about technological dimension of sustainability, Formula 1 Impact Report offers an excellent overview of plans and applications for sustainable fuels. As Sustainable Paddock is all about those fuels, you can be sure I ain’t missing a chance to talk this topic. Best part? It goes far beyond the cars.
Let’s start with them, though! The report is a great reminder we are less than two years away from seeing the first Formula 1 race powered by sustainable fuel. Once in use, they will target 80% reduction in well-to wake emissions (manufacturing, transportation and usage incl.) comparing to the fuels used today.
Areas, where F1 leveraged the power of sustainable fuels so far, are an undeniable proof that the aforementioned goal is achievable. Switch to biodiesel trucks led to an average of 83% reduction comparing to traditional trucks. Biodiesel was also part of the energy system solution tested at the last year’s Austrian Grand Prix. The event had recorded 90% less emissions than 2022’s edition.
And you know what? It’s only a dawn of a new era. Formula 1 Impact Report is the greatest testament of the upcoming revolution powered by sustainable fuels. According to the report, starting 2024, F1 will be investing in alternative fuels across all of its operations. It demonstrates Formula 1 ultimate ambition of becoming a fossil-free sport in every aspect, spanning from cars and infrastructure to logistics.
The sheer importance of the Formula 1 Impact Report
Last but not least, one of the most noteworthy aspects of the Formula 1 Impact Report is simply its release. Two years ago, while writing my master thesis on Corporate Social Responsibility in Formula 1, I was struck with a conspicuous lack of periodic well-organized updates on the progress regarding Sustainability Strategy adopted in 2019. Let me explain why.
Peter Drucker, influential management thinker, argued that although measurement alone isn’t enough, it is absolutely essential for effective process management. I am a firm believer in that approach, when considering environmental sustainability, albeit with one additional requirement. In addition to measuring, organizations should also prioritize transparency by disclosing information on their environmental impact.
Read now: Why Formula 2 is using more sustainable fuel than F1?
Prior to Formula 1 Impact Report, there was only one document that (partially) met these expectations. ESG Briefing Note from 2022 although deserving a recognition, was still an anticlimax, when compared to the latest publication. While some may point out F1’s frequent communication through articles and social media, I view these as complementary rather than substitutionary tools.
With the arrival of Formula 1 Impact Report, we have received exactly that. Holistic coverage of sport’s commitment to environmental sustainability is a step forward. Obviously, there is still room for improvement. Personally, I envision the Formula 1 Impact Report evolving into an annual tradition, especially as expectations continue to grow.
