Can Motorsport Help Our Future by Reversing Climate Change

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by

James Walters
in

Human activities like the use of fossil fuels, coal, oil, and gas have drastically sped up the rate of climate change. And these eco-harming activities aren’t linked to a singular entity or activity either. From the production of cement to the conversion of natural forests to grazing land, human consumption is the cause of the climate change that we’re experiencing today.

In fact, the UN has confirmed that we must halve global emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050 to avoid the worst effects of climate change. When it comes to making a difference no effort is too small.

From building your homes sustainably to eating less meat, consumer behaviour impacts the market. Research shows that 50 to 60% of consumers today, especially millennials, consider eco-friendly production and packaging while buying products.

We all have a responsibility to improve the planet for future generations, and we all have the power to make changes. We all have the power to #VoteWithOurMoney by using sustainable and ethical banks and pension funds, buying organic food, reducing our consumption and waste, and offsetting the emissions that we can’t avoid.

But what about the worst polluters? If they can be encouraged to transition to green and renewable that would be a quick way to stop and reverse climate change. What about some of the industries that might be seen as the worst for climate change? Can they actually help our future?

How To Make Motorsport Eco-Conscious?

When it comes to environmental impact, industries like motorsports are seen as some of the worst polluters. And so they have a greater responsibility to make an active effort to shift to a low-carbon system. 

It’s not just about making motorsport good for climate change to improve the planet for future generations, it’s also about preserving the sport for many years to come. If you’re into motorsport, either you care about your impact and the future that you leave for your children or you want motorsport to be around for many years to come, or both.

A quick Google search for “British kart championships sustainable fuel” doesn’t bring up anything. But you look up “motorsport pollution” and you’ll see countless op-eds tearing down motor racing and explaining how it’s ‘morally irresponsible.’ And they’re not wrong. 

Without immediate and drastic changes motorsports will continue to cause massive damage to the climate. Racing on track is just one small part of motorsport. Think flights, trucks, and cars to the race tracks; hotels for the team; race tyres; generators running to power lights and tools; racewear and crash helmets; packaging and delivery of parts… So, is it possible for motorsport to become eco-conscious?

MotorSport UK Ambitions

Motorsport UK’s Sustainability Strategy, sets out a bold ambition to achieve ‘substantial change within the sport (hoping to) contribute actively to global sustainability.’

Motorsport UK represents 700 clubs, 30,000 competition licence holders, and 15,000 officials, marshalls, and volunteers. So their ambition has the potential to have a significant impact on helping our future by helping climate change.

Outlining an ambitious goal like this shows that even some of the worst polluters can amend their ways and improve.

This sets an excellent precedent for industries that are currently seen as polluters to adapt, amend, and improve to achieve the next milestone in the climate crisis of halving global emissions by 2030. In addition to the direct impact of their decision on the environment, it’s crucial to look at how they may be inspiring others to change.

Meaning that the impact of their decision is more far-reaching than one would initially expect.

But are they doing enough? What has been done so far? What actual activity is happening today? Is it just more greenwashing? Is it just planning to do something in the future or are improvements being made now? Can more be done to help our future and preserve a sport that is loved by millions at the same time as helping climate change?

Some Examples of Helping Motorsport to be Sustainable

Sustainable racing fuel

The 2022 ROKiT F4 Championship partnered with Carless to adopt sustainable racing fuel. The terms of the agreement state that Britain’s FIA F4 series will make using Carless’ sustainable fuel compulsory for 3 years. 

This fuel produces 18% fewer greenhouse emissions as compared to the current fuel. Breaking down the fuel to its components shows that it contains 20% renewable components. 15% of these are second-generation ethanol derivatives and the remaining 5% are renewable hydrocarbons. 

It’s entirely possible for motorsport racers across the world to cut down their carbon emissions by making the use of these fuels mandatory.

Introducing Electric Car Racing

In June 2022, Motorsport UK presented innovations by motorsport engineers who are working to develop low-carbon solutions. The vehicle display included several hybrid technologies and battery electric technology-run vehicles. 

The display also included several sustainable fuels and hydrogen-run cars. Developing these vehicles is a great step and shows a bright future for the racing industry. 

Some of the vehicles displayed were:

  • Hybrid Formula 1 cars from Mercedes and Red Bull 
  • Hybrid British Touring Car from Motorbase
  • Electric Formula E cars from Mahindra Racing 
  • Electric Bambino Karts from Total Karting Zero
  • Sustainable Fuel powered E-type cars by Caterham 
  • Sustainable Fuel powered vehicle by Prodrive 

A permanent shift to hybrid vehicles is one solution to the problem of climate impact via motorsport.

Given the current state of motorsports, it’s reasonable to expect certain changes over the next few years:

  1. Shift more racing championships towards using sustainable fuel 
  2. Research, develop, and integrate better technology into their races

Once major racing organisations start leading the way in the transition to sustainability for the benefit of the sport and future generations, others will follow.

Superformula and Toyota are also taking steps to carbon-neutral fuels and play their part in reshaping the industry. With enough consumer-motivated pressure, large corporations can be held accountable and pushed to make more climate-friendly decisions. Of course, it all comes down to the people who watch and participate in motorsports to make a difference!

Accountability is the first step! Back in 2019, F1 Formula Racing committed to becoming net carbon zero by 2030 given the UN’s statistics on global warming and climate change. They began by openly admitting to their carbon emissions in an extensive public report. With 256,000 tons of emissions per cycle, the sport will definitely need to engage in a bottom-up, complete rehaul of its entire system!

Low Cost and Easy Ways to Reduce Your Emissions Now

A few industry players have already begun the shift with companies like Carbon Positive Motorsport paving the way. The company is dedicated to helping motorsport drivers, teams, and championships to offset their emissions.

Carbon Positive Motorsport (CPM) provides “ex-ante” carbon offsets that reduce emissions in the future through rewilding and tree planting projects that improve the planet for future generations. CPM offset is based on the litres of fuel that you use so I purchase 50 or 200 litres of offsets and then keep track of the amount of fuel I use to know when I need to purchase more “ex-ante” carbon offsets. Read more about Carbon Positive Motorsport Projects.

If you’re looking to reduce your emissions now, you’ll want to use the Cogo Carbon Tracker mobile app (install for free from the App Store or Play Store) that connects to your bank and credit cards to automatically track your carbon footprint and suggest verified emissions reduction projects through South Pole that include “ex-post” projects to reduce your emissions now. 

As South Pole focuses on verified climate protection, over 99% of the emission credits from South Pole’s portfolio come from “ex-post” climate protection projects, where the climate impact is verified and calculated before the certificates are issued. 

I use CoGo every month and within a few minutes of purchasing the carbon offsets, I receive the certificate by email. Read more about South Pole Carbon Offset Projects.

The science shows clearly that in order to avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a livable planet, global temperature increase needs to be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Currently, the Earth is already about 1.1°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s, and emissions continue to rise. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C – as called for in the Paris Agreement – emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.

With less than 8 years to the first UN deadline to halve global emissions, carbon reduction is no longer a choice, it’s integral for human survival.

To play my part, I’ve launched Climate Positive Racing to offer guidance on how motorsport drivers, teams, and organisations can become climate positive by reducing their emissions now and in the future.

Here Is What You Can Do

Want to Continue Your Journey?

Where Next?

There is so much inspiring information to give you ideas of how to help climate change by growing, eating, and living sustainably, you can:

  1. Read Our Articles
  2. Sign-Up to Our Free Email Newsletter
  3. Get Started and Vote with Your Money
  4. Try the Sustainability Roadmap
  5. Use the Company Directory
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Production Notes

This was produced by me, James Walters, as a personal project to help stop climate change by inspiring others to grow, eat, and live sustainably.

Any advice given is the opinion of those involved and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice.

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