When will the climate change in Formula 1? | game | dw

Formula 1 is currently experiencing a great season: inspired by the diverse title battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, the success of the Netflix documentary series “Drive to Survive” and the marketing of Formula 1 owner Liberty Media, interest in the most prestigious The strong motorsport chain is growing. But at what cost?

International courier service DHL, one of Formula 1’s main sponsors, announced that it has covered up to 120,000 transport kilometers for the 2021 season to deliver cars, teams, transmission and hospitality equipment, as well as fuel and tyres. . This corresponds to three trips around the world with tons of content.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, just days after speaking at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, reiterated that the very existence of the world as we know it is threatened by “humanity’s addiction to fossil fuels”, the idea that It seems irresponsible to take motorsport teams to 21 countries within a year so that 22 cars with 1,000 hp can drive around a racetrack for about two hours.

Big plans in the fight against climate change

Last year, Formula 1 presented a climate strategy. This includes new engines that are 100 percent sustainable and carbon-neutral by 2030, more eco-friendly, more sustainable materials for fans, highly efficient logistics and incentives to travel to offices, facilities and factories that are 100 percent renewable.

Formal 1 |  Spain |  Barcelona-Catalonia Circuit

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It all sounds very promising, and given the history of motorsport in developing technologies that have helped propel everyday cars, one might be led to believe that Formula One can do it all.

But despite all the announcements of ultra-efficient logistics, the sheer amount of CO2 emissions remains a problem for the sport. In a sustainability report, Formula 1 revealed that 45 percent of the 256,551 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the 2018 season were attributable to the transport of teams and all of their equipment. If you use data from the US Environmental Protection Agency to put these 256,551 tons of CO2 in context, this corresponds to the CO2 emissions of 55,795 cars that are driven for a year.

Less freight, more efficient transportation

In response to a request from DW, Formula 1 said that since launching its climate strategy in November 2019, it has made “significant progress in reducing the amount of equipment sent to races”. In response to the coronavirus pandemic last year, he implemented a two-year plan for remote-controlled TV broadcasts within just eight weeks. By moving more technical equipment back to the UK, race crews have been reduced by 36 percent and race cargo shipped by 34 percent.

According to Formula 1, this saved 70 tonnes of freight per race, which corresponds to a total of approximately 1200 tonnes of freight that was not transported in the 17 races last season. It is to be hoped that similar, if not more, savings can be made this season, which includes 22 races.

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To the best of its knowledge, Formula 1 has also invested in upgrading its ULD shipping containers (unit load devices). This should allow it to switch from the older fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft to the more fuel-efficient 777 aircraft and provide greater flexibility in choosing more environmentally friendly modes of transport such as rail, road and sea freight. This and planting trees to compensate for their emissions are positive steps, but are they enough? Can a game not do more with a global partnership with Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer and most profitable company, and Emirates, the largest airline in the Middle East?

And what about business travel emissions? In the above Sustainability Report 2018, 27.7 percent of emissions were attributable to business travel, which was defined as “all personal air and ground transport as well as hotel costs for all employees of F1 teams and the most important event partners” .

A new report is currently in the works and is expected by the end of this season or the beginning of the next. Formula 1 told DW that it has “committed itself to reducing its carbon footprint across all emissions sectors and as such is supported by our commercial partners”.

Shortage despite expansion?

In the meantime, the race will continue. The next season’s schedule has a record number of 23 Grands Prix, with ten teams competing in 21 different countries. Given the record season, can Formula 1 still deliver on all the promises of permanent change?

Drivers and team owners know the game has to change. Sebastian Vettel has repeatedly called for Formula 1 to do more for stability. Lewis Hamilton’s long-term commitment to the environment should also be welcomed. Yet, despite recent efforts, Formula 1 is moving further and further from the requirements imposed by climate change. Formula 1 may become increasingly popular, but the most expensive traveling circus in the sport has to deliver on its promise to drastically change its demeanor.

The text was adapted from English.

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