Formula 1 reports on sustainability and social progress across 2024 season

Biz Bahrain

15-03-2025

As Formula 1 returns for its 2025 season and 75th anniversary year this weekend, the sport has released a round-up on the progress made towards its sustainability and social commitments last year. The update has been published in advance of the sport's full 2024 Impact Report, which will be released later this year, which will cover in detail F1's progress towards its Net Zero by 2030 goal, including its latest carbon emission reduction figures. In the 2023 Social Impact Report, these were on target at 13% against the minimum 50% reduction required versus the 2018 baseline. Highlights include: Environment: • In 2024, Formula 1 made significant investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as part of its ultra-efficient logistics strategy. SAF delivers an estimated 80% reduction in associated carbon emissions* per flight compared to the use of conventional aviation fuel. The combined investment in SAF with Global Partners DHL and Qatar Airways reduced total related emissions by more than 8,000 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent), an approximate 19% reduction in related emissions– compared to traditional aviation fuel – for the air freight charter programme operated by Formula 1 across the flyaway events of the 2024 season. • The delivery of innovative low-carbon energy generation systems using renewable sources such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), biofuel, solar panels, and battery began testing in 2023, and last year they were used at the Red Bull Ring, the Hungarian Grand Prix and the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. This season, the programme will be rolled out to reduce more than 90% of carbon emissions at all European Grands Prix in key areas such as the Paddock, Pit Lane, and Event Technical Centre. • As part of the sport's ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions associated with travel and logistics, improvements were made to the geographical flow of races around the world in 2024. This included agreement from the Promoter in Japan to move the Suzuka race back from September to April to fit with the Asia Pacific segment of the schedule, while Azerbaijan took its slot to align with Singapore. The organisers of the Qatar Grand Prix also approved a move to the penultimate spot in the schedule, back-to-back with Abu Dhabi. From 2026 the Canadian Grand Prix will be hosted earlier in the year and the Monaco Grand Prix will take place on the first full weekend in June, consolidating the European leg of the F1 season into one period, removing an additional transatlantic crossing and delivering significant associated carbon reductions. • Last year, F2 and F3 cars ran on 55% Aramco advanced sustainable fuel and the FIA medical and safety cars operated on 40%. In 2025, the F2 and F3 cars will move to 100%, ahead of the Formula 1 cars adopting the fuels in 2026 in the new hybrid engines that will take to the circuit next year. The technology has implications for the automotive industry and existing petrol cars, as the fuel developed by Formula 1 will be a 'drop-in' that can be used in road cars without modification and will serve as a sustainable alternative of global benefit. • Throughout the 2024 season, the cars all operated with FSC approved Pirelli tyres, which means the natural rubber in the type complies with the FSC's strict standards for sustainable forestry. • 80% of promoters powered aspects of their events using alternative energy sources such as solar panels, green tariffs, and biofuels. • Over 90% of promoters began offering greener ways to travel to the race.