Formula 1 cuts carbon footprint through sustainable logistics

Formula 1’s latest Impact Report confirms a 35 percent reduction in carbon footprint against the 2018 baseline. Travel emissions have fallen by 27 percent since 2018, while logistics emissions are down 29 percent over the same period. Across European events in 2025, Formula 1 introduced alternative energy systems including hydrotreated vegetable oil, solar and battery storage solutions. Formula 1’s latest Impact Report confirms a 35 percent reduction in carbon footprint against the 2018 baseline, bringing total emissions down to 148,805 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2025 from 228,793 tonnes. Over the same period, the sport has removed close to 80,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from its operational footprint while expanding its global calendar and commercial reach. What stands out is not simply the direction of travel, but the breadth of intervention. Emissions reductions are no longer concentrated in isolated initiatives; they are being driven across freight, logistics, broadcast, factories and event operations. That breadth matters. It signals a shift from sustainability as a compliance exercise to sustainability as a design principle embedded in how a global sporting platform actually functions. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “At Formula 1, we act and show our achievements through facts, not just words, and I am incredibly proud that we remain on track to achieve Net Zero by 2030, made possible by the collective effort across the sport to reduce our environmental impact. “From calendar rationalisation to greater investment in sustainable fuels and alternative energy solutions, we have reduced our footprint while the sport continues to grow and reach new audiences around the world. I would like to thank the FIA, all the F1 teams, our broadcasters, partners, promoters, and of course our team, for their shared commitment and for continuing to drive this forward together.” Logistics as the central battleground If there is one area defining Formula 1’s decarbonisation trajectory, it is logistics. Travel emissions have fallen by 27 percent since 2018, while logistics emissions are down 29 percent over the same period and 21 percent year on year. These are not marginal gains; they reflect a deliberate redesign of how the championship moves around the world. The most consequential shift is the move away from airfreight dependency. Cargo flows are increasingly being redistributed across sea, air and land, with a structural push towards maritime transport and regional logistics hubs. More than half of current broadcast and related freight is expected to be removed from air transport by 2030, a change that fundamentally alters the sport’s global supply chain architecture. Calendar rationalisation sits at the heart of this transition. By grouping races geographically, Formula 1 is reducing long-haul jumps for both freight and personnel, effectively turning scheduling into a logistics optimisation tool. The result is a system that behaves less like a traditional touring calendar and more like a sequenced regional circuit. Sustainable aviation fuel and, more recently, sustainable maritime fuel add another layer. Rather than waiting for full fleet electrification or breakthrough propulsion technologies, Formula 1 is adopting transitional solutions that deliver immediate reductions while scaling supply-side markets. This pragmatic sequencing is becoming a hallmark of its approach. Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1, added: “Sustainability underpins every decision we make, not only on the racetrack, but in how we produce and deliver our iconic events around the world. “By doubling the sport’s investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), making our first investment in sustainable maritime fuel, and continuing to work closely with promoters, teams and partners, we are driving further emissions reductions while accelerating the adoption of the latest technologies. These actions demonstrate our continued determination to lead through sustainable innovation. As we move towards our net zero by 2030 goal, the Future Race Operations Programme will deliver further significant reductions in the years ahead, alongside the full impact of calendar rationalisation, which will come into effect from the 2026 season.” Operational redesign and long-term value creation Beyond transport, the deeper transformation is happening inside facilities and event operations. Emissions from factories, offices and team facilities have fallen by 64 percent since 2018, driven largely by the transition to renewable electricity across the paddock ecosystem. That kind of reduction is rarely achieved through incremental efficiency alone; it typically requires structural changes in energy procurement and infrastructure planning. Trackside operations are also evolving. Across European events in 2025, Formula 1 introduced alternative energy systems including hydrotreated vegetable oil, solar and battery storage solutions. The result h