Written by Rohan Brown, Edited by Meghana Sree
You may have seen the ‘net zero 2030’ signs around Formula One circuits, but did you know that these mean more than just being words on brake markers? As the term indicates, this signifies F1’s motive to be net zero on environmentally harmful emissions by the year 2030.
F1 set up their targets in November 2019, with the series aiming to become more sustainable in the long-term by reducing its environmental impact.
So, as we gear up for the future, let’s discuss F1’s plans to achieve next zero emissions in the next five years.
2026 cars
The cars from next year on will be 100% powered by sustainable fuels. This is because the cars will be 50% electrically powered, with the other 50% coming from these sustainable fuels.
It is estimated by F1 that this provides 85% to 96% less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions being produced.
F1 hopes that this innovation in fuel development will find its way down into the functioning of road cars of the future.
Additionally, since 2022, F1’s cars have been 10% powered by E10 fuel (90% conventional fuel and 10% renewable ethanol).
Logistics
The series has been steadily reducing its emissions output via logistics. Through DHL, F1’s official logistics partner, it cut emissions on average of 83% during the European leg of the 2023 season (for logistics-related carbon emissions).
DHL’s biofuel-powered trucks have also provided a helping-hand in working towards the net zero 2030 target.
In addition, F1 is currently the only series governed by the FIA that has its three-star environmental accreditation.
The FIA environmental accreditation is a program intended to measure and enhance how environmentally friendly motorsport and mobility stakeholders are.
It has a star system, running from one to three, with F1’s three star rating indicating the best environmental performance, demonstrated through the use of an environmental management system.
Moreover, F1 moved to having a remote production operation in 2020, which reduced the amount of cargo being shipped to where F1 races are being held.
The calendar
F1 is investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) with its logistics partner DHL, and it is estimated that it will reduce carbon emissions by 80% (when compared to current flights).
Significantly, during the 2024 season 20% of these flights to flyaway races were using SAFs. Indeed, this is already having a positive impact on emissions.
During the European leg of the 2023 season, DHL trucks used biofuels (across nine races), and
this reduced carbon emissions by 83% during that period of the season.
The venues
Finally, at the many locations that F1 races globally, it has placed a keen focus on reducing emissions there too.
For example, at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2022 and 2023, low-carbon energy systems were used.
These included hydrotreated vegetable oil biofuels (HVOs), 200 solar panels (covering an area of 600 meters squared) and a battery storage system supplied by a renewable power grid. These set-ups were all used to power the paddock.
This cut carbon emissions at the Austrian Grand Prix from a whopping 198 tonnes in 2022 to 12 tonnes in 2023.
Like in Austria, Silverstone was also powered by fully renewable sources in 2023. As it used 2,746 solar panels and use of HVO biofuels for temporary generators. They also used electric-powered Škoda cars to transport key people to and from the venue.
Silverstone also independently published their shift to net zero plans on the 29th June 2022, in which they want to align with F1’s 2030 net zero goal.
The circuits have also been working with local food banks to reduce food waste from F1 race weekends. For example, after the cancellation of the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, 1.5 tonnes of food was donated to 17 charities in the state of Victoria.
With such initiatives being undertaken across F1’s operations, there is a clearly defined path to F1’s net zero goals. 2026 will be a huge step towards achieving these goals, but at the moment, this year too looks promising in the team effort to achieve sustainability in F1.
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