Formula E Championship becomes first sport with a certified net zero carbon footprint

The ABB FIA Formula E Championship has become the first sport to have a net zero carbon footprint since inception, investing in internationally certified projects in all race markets to offset emissions from six seasons of electric racing.

Formula E’s announcement was made today during the launch of Climate Week NYC 2020. Following the recommended approach set out by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Formula E has followed three key steps to achieve a net zero carbon footprint: effective measurement of carbon output, prioritizing reducing its footprint and offsetting remaining unavoidable emissions.

With a founding purpose to counteract climate change, Formula E’s commitment to deliver better futures through racing drives its ongoing environmental, economic and social sustainability initiatives around the world.

Working closely with Quantis, the leading life cycle assessment and sustainability experts, Formula E has been calculating the overall footprint of the championship since its inaugural season, with a continual focus on lowering emissions.

Its emission reduction measures, including optimizing transport and logistics, extending end-of-life options for lithium-ion battery cells and cutting out single-use plastics on site, led to Formula E becoming the first and only racing category to receive third-party ISO 20121 certification for sustainable events.

Unavoidable emissions from the past six seasons have now also been certified as offset through investment in Gold Standard and Verified Carbon Standard UN projects in line with the UNFCCC’s Clean Development Mechanism.

The projects selected are socially sustainable, advance renewable energy production and maximize the environmental benefits of electric cars, building on Formula E’s work to date to deliver positive, tangible legacies in race markets. (For the full list, see below).

Formula E is already thinking about how it can do even more to combat the global climate crisis. As such, on behalf of Formula E, CEO Jamie Reigle signed the UN’s EU 2030 letter released last week. The letter supports the UN’s global Race to Zero campaign for a decarbonized economy that guards against future threats, creates quality employment opportunities and nurtures inclusive, sustainable growth.

List of internationally certified offsetting projects:

– China: biomass energy generation

– Chile: landfill gas energy generation

– Mexico: landfill gas energy generation

– Argentina: wind power energy generation

– Uruguay: wind power energy generation

– USA: landfill gas energy generation

– Malaysia: landfill gas energy generation

– Morocco: wind power energy generation

– Renewable energy certificates in UK, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and Russia