Formula 1 has often been criticized as being unsustainable due to the high carbon emissions and environmental impact from racing cars at high speeds, and the stupidity of the calendar. For example, the calendar for 2025 season takes us to Barcelona, from which there is a quick detour to Canada, and back to Belgium. However, in recent years there has been a major push within F1 to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
F1 as a whole aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, and the challenge of sustainability in F1 is one of the major goals of the FIA and Liberty Media. Achieving this for an entire global motorsport series is an enormous challenge, but strides are being made through the use of sustainable fuels, improved logistics, carbon offsetting, and other initiatives.
More feasible in the shorter term is for individual F1 races to become sustainable. This is what the Singapore Grand Prix has set out to accomplish. Through its comprehensive sustainability strategy focusing on reducing emissions, waste, and environmental impact, while also giving back to the local community, the Singapore race provides an excellent case study in how to create a sustainable F1 event.
Singapore Grand Prix Sustainability Initiatives
The Singapore Grand Prix, known for being F1’s first ever night race, has put sustainability at the forefront in recent years. For the 2022 event, organizers published a detailed Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report outlining sustainability initiatives and goals structured around three key pillars:
- Reducing carbon footprint from energy use
- Adopting a holistic, circular approach to sustainability
- Creating positive social and community impact
Reducing Carbon Footprint
As the main source of emissions for the event, energy use has been the primary focus area. This has involved measures such as:
- Utilizing 85% carbon neutral electricity in 2022
- Powering 48% of the race circuit with B7 biodiesel fuel
- Replacing all track lighting with energy-efficient LED bulbs, reducing lighting power demand by a third
- Encouraging public transport use by fans to reduce travel emissions
- Going paperless for tickets and operations to avoid waste
Circular Sustainability Model
Transitioning from a linear to a circular sustainability model involves reuse and recycling instead of the traditional take-make-waste approach. Singapore initiatives include:
- Eliminating 160,000 single-use plastic water bottles in 2022
- Installing more free water refill stations for reusable bottles
- Collecting used cooking oil to make biodiesel fuel
- Using sustainably sourced and recyclable tableware
- Turning food waste into fertilizer
And these are only a few examples of what kind of sustainability in F1 we’re talking about. The initiatives seem to be almost unlimited.
Community Impact
Giving back and creating value for the Singapore community has included:
- Raising $3.86 million for charities since 2008
- Providing work experience for over 900 local students
- Contracting over 800 Singapore-based businesses
- Offering free pit lane access to 4,000 disadvantaged residents
- Having wheelchair seating for mobility-impaired fans
Results and Future Goals
The efforts of sustainability in F1 done by the authorities led to Singapore attaining a one-star rating in the FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme in 2022. For the 2023 event, energy emissions under organizers’ direct control were cut by 20.7% compared to 2022, and even more plans have been made to emphasize Singapore’s efforts to sustainability in F1.
Goals have now been set to halve all energy emissions associated with running the event by 2028. This will be achieved through greater use of biodiesels and renewable fuels in generators, more solar and battery storage, purchasing carbon offsets, and further efficiency gains.
A shift towards a fully circular event is also envisioned over the coming years. This will involve enhanced reduce-reuse-recycle efforts, infrastructure updates allowing continued re-use, and more innovations like converting waste into race merchandise.
Ambitious objectives of the sustainability in F1 for the Singapore Grand Prix will not be easily attained for a nighttime street race. However, with the comprehensive environmental strategy in place and increasing stakeholder alignment on objectives, they can realistically be reached in the targeted timeline.
Sustainability Lessons for Other Races
A data-driven and methodical approach underpins the Singapore Grand Prix sustainability in F1 initiatives, showing that with enough work, even an F1 race can be sustainable. While certain aspects are specific to a night street race, there are also important lessons for other F1 races:
- Set tangible goals across environmental, social and governance sustainability pillars
- Focus initially on areas of greatest emissions/impact
- Involve all stakeholders and align on objectives
- Shift towards circular resource usage where possible
- Embed sustainability principles into operations
- Report progress and continue innovating year-on-year
Races with more space and infrastructure control, such as purpose-built permanent circuits, may find aspects like renewable energy, waste management, and community engagement easier. However, the comprehensive Singapore model provides an adaptable blueprint.
Can F1 Races Ultimately Become Fully Sustainable?
In the near future, fully eliminating the carbon footprint of an F1 race remains unlikely. Some emissions from transport, construction, food, and energy are difficult to abate completely given current technology and infrastructure limitations.
However, races can get extremely close through widescale adoption of renewables, carbon offsetting, a circular economy approach, and efficiency. Wider motorsport innovations in synthetic sustainable fuels, battery/hydrogen power, and smart infrastructure will also close the gap over time.
Just as Singapore aims to halve emissions by 2028, achieving a 75-90% net emissions reduction by 2030 is a realistic and achievable goal for most races. With every passing year this will edge closer to carbon neutrality. And by serving as pioneers of sustainability in F1, Singapore leads the whole motor racing industry to innovate solutions faster.
So while being perfectly sustainable currently remains out of reach, F1 races can get radically close. The Singapore Grand Prix sustainability strategy provides a realistic roadmap for other events to follow until the elusive last 10% can be overcome through future technologies.
Thankfully, we will not see Logan Sargeant during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, because the amount of carbon emission needed to rebuilt the wreck of his car, with all the broken front wings and rear wings would offset the whole carbon reduction and keep status quo…
FAQs
Can An F1 Race Be Sustainable?
Yes, an F1 race can be sustainable by focusing on renewable energy, offsetting emissions, efficient operations, responsible waste management, community development, and finding innovative solutions. The Singapore Grand Prix sustainability strategy provides a realistic blueprint for dramatically reducing the carbon footprint and overall impact of an F1 race.
How Much Emission Does F1 Produce?
Total F1 emissions are estimated at over 250,000 tonnes per year as of 2019. This includes emissions from logistics, race events, offices, factories, and development facilities. Through efficiency improvements and carbon offsetting, F1 aims to be net zero by 2030.
Which F1 Race Is The Most Sustainable?
Most races have now started initiatives towards sustainability in F1. As of 2023, the Singapore Grand Prix is considered among the most sustainable. Receiving the highest 3-star rating in the FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme, its comprehensive emissions reduction strategy provides a model for other Grands Prix to follow.
Will F1 Reach Its Sustainability Goal?
F1 is committed to reaching net zero carbon status by 2030. With all teams, sponsors, promoters, and partners aligned behind this goal, underpinned by firm intermediate targets, significant funding, and innovative projects, the goal has a strong chance of being met. This will be further aided by increasing external pressure and climate change urgency.