Formula 1 is firmly on track to achieve its target of becoming Net Zero by 2030, having delivered a 26% reduction in its carbon emissions by the end of 2024 compared to its 2018 baseline.
Progress has been driven by cross-sport collaboration with Formula 1 teams, partners, promoters, and the FIA, and comes during a period of remarkable growth for the sport, with the race calendar expanding from 21 events in 2018 to 24 in each of the past two seasons.
Over the same period, race attendance has surged from 4 million to 6.5 million, and Formula 1’s global fanbase has grown to over 826 million. Data in the latest sustainability update shows that if no changes had been made to operations during this time, there would have been an estimated 10% increase in the sport’s carbon footprint versus 2018.
The update confirms that the sport is over halfway towards achieving its minimum 50% emissions reduction target, as set out in its Net Zero by 2030 commitment. Any remaining unavoidable emissions will be offset using credible programmes in line with latest best practice guidance.
At the end of the 2024 season, the carbon footprint for the sport stands at 168,720 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) – down from 228,793 tCO2e in 2018.
The report incorporates a re-baselining of the sport’s 2018 carbon footprint, reflecting supplier data improvements and in alignment with industry best practices and internationally recognised standards.
As a result, the reported 2018 footprint has been revised to 228,793 tCO2e, down from 256,551 tCO2e. This ensures that the reported emissions reductions reflect genuine progress compared to the baseline year, rather than improvements resulting solely from changes in accounting methods.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “We are strongly committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030. It is a concrete goal, already visible in the significant reduction of our sport’s carbon footprint. While continuing to grow globally, we have shown that sustainable development is possible and that the strategies we have adopted are yielding tangible results.
“Formula 1 has always been synonymous with innovation and the desire to improve. Once again, this mentality has allowed us to make important progress, not only for those who work in this world, but also for society as a whole.
“We will continue to pursue our projects and next year we will introduce new actions, such as the use of advanced sustainable fuels in all Formula 1 cars, a step that also opens up significant opportunities for road cars and other means of transport.
“We are proud of what we have achieved so far and remain determined to continue on this path. Thank you to the FIA, the teams, partners and promoters for their fundamental contribution along this journey.”
Key initiatives underpinning this momentum include:
- Emissions from Factories and Facilities have reduced by over 34,000 tCO2e compared to 2018, representing a 59% reduction in this area. This has been achieved through the continued transition to renewable energy sources to power Formula 1 and F1 Teams sites.
- Emissions from Travel have reduced by almost 20,000 tCO2e compared to 2018, representing a 25% reduction in this area. This has been achieved through the increased rollout of remote broadcast operations, and F1 Teams making investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for their race travel operations.
- Emissions from Logistics have decreased by 6,438 tCO2e compared to 2018, representing a 9% reduction in this area. To achieve this, Formula 1 made a significant investment in new freight containers to allow for the use of more efficient Boeing 777 planes, invested in SAF for freight operations, and expanded the use of biofuel trucks for freight in Europe.
- Event Operations emissions have decreased by 12% on a per-race basis. This reduction has been driven by continued efforts across all Formula 1 stakeholders to transition to renewable energy sources at events, alongside key suppliers adapting their operations to lower emissions. While total event operations emissions for the 24-race calendar have increased slightly by 247 tCO2e, this reflects the addition of three more Grands Prix compared to 2018.
“Today’s results are the product of years of hard work across the sport,” said Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1. “All areas have been tasked with operating more sustainably, and it is through this sport-wide engagement and delivery that we are able to achieve such significant emissions reductions.
“Looking ahead, we have a clear plan to meet our commitments and to further demonstrate how growth can be positive for both sustainability and sporting outcomes. Formula 1 is uniquely placed to show that performance and sustainability can support one another, and I look forward to seeing the impact of initiatives already announced – such as changes to our race calendar from 2026 – as well as those yet to come, to help us deliver on our goals and beyond.”
Formula 1 has a clear path to achieving Net Zero in 2030 and will continue to invest in its alternative fuel strategy – including increasing use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel – and enhance its future race operations, with a further move towards the use of sea-freight and the use of regional hubs where vital equipment can stay in region to reduce the amount of travel required.
F1 will also continue to create cross-sport solutions to drive reductions and efficiencies across our global network.
Investment in future operations will not only help to continue the journey towards Net Zero but will create operational efficiencies that will be financially beneficial in the coming years.
Delivery since 2018
As Formula 1 works to delivering for our 2030 target, the whole sport has been acting individually and as a group to drive down the carbon footprint. This includes:
- Significant investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuel which have been made as part of our ultra-efficient logistics strategy. Our combined 2024 investment in SAF with Global Partners DHL and Qatar Airways reduced total related emissions by more than 8,000 tCO2e, 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. This investment will grow in the years to come.
- Investments in remote broadcast operations which means that Formula 1 deploys the world’s largest intercontinental remote production system every race weekend from our Media & Technology Centre in the UK. Formula 1 has been adding additional remote capabilities since the project was first accelerated into place in 2020 and now has approximately 140 personnel working remotely at each race weekend. In 2024, the new state of the art F1 Studio at the M&TC added new opportunities for remote broadcasting, which simultaneously reduces the need for equipment and people to travel to races, helping us reduce our carbon footprint.
- Formula 1 investing in new freight containers to allow for the use of more efficient Boeing 777 planes where available, with significant associated emission reductions. This change has led to an estimated 9,000 tCO2e reduction in carbon emissions.
- Formula 1, and many of the F1 teams and suppliers, transitioning their factories and facilities to make increasing use of alternative energy sources. These changes have led to a 59% reduction in associated carbon emissions for F1 factories and facilities.
- 80% of race promoters powering aspects of their events using alternative energy sources such as solar panels, green tariffs and biofuels, with plans in place at all others to begin in the coming years.