Formula One’s Carbon Footprint Falls By More Than One-Third Since 2018

by | Jun 19, 2026 | Daily News, Environmental News

Home » Environmental News » Formula One’s Carbon Footprint Falls By More Than One-Third Since 2018

Formula One’s carbon footprint has fallen by an impressive 35% since 2018, according to the sport’s latest Impact Report, demonstrating that even one of the world’s most logistically complex sporting events can make significant progress toward sustainability. The report reveals that Formula 1 has eliminated nearly 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) from its operations over the past eight years while simultaneously expanding its global calendar from 21 races in 2018 to 24 races in 2025.

The achievement keeps the championship on track to meet its ambitious Net Zero 2030 target, with substantial emissions reductions recorded across travel, freight, facilities, and race operations.

Formula One's carbon footprint

Major Emissions Reductions Across Operations

The latest figures show that Formula 1’s sustainability strategy is delivering measurable results across multiple areas of the business.

Category
Reduction Achieved
Total Carbon Footprint
35% since 2018
Total Emissions Removed
Nearly 80,000 tCO2e
Travel Emissions
27% reduction
Travel Emissions Saved
Over 21,000 tCO2e
Facilities & Offices
64% reduction
Facility Emissions Saved
More than 37,000 tCO2e
Event Operations
17% reduction per race
Air Charter Emissions
Approximately 40% reduction

The reduction is particularly noteworthy because it has been achieved while the sport continues to grow its audience, race calendar, and global commercial footprint.

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Freight and Logistics Remain a Key Focus

Moving race cars, spare parts, broadcasting equipment, hospitality infrastructure, and technical systems across multiple continents remains one of Formula 1’s biggest environmental challenges.

To tackle this issue, Formula 1 is shifting more freight from air transport to sea routes and regional logistics hubs. The organization has stated that more than half of its broadcast and related freight currently transported by air will transition to lower-carbon alternatives by 2030.

This approach reflects a broader trend across industries, where organizations are seeking to reduce transport-related emissions throughout their supply chains.

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Sustainable Fuels Drive Further Progress

A major contributor to recent emissions reductions has been Formula 1’s growing investment in sustainable fuels.

Formula 1, its teams, and the FIA have doubled investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) annually since the first investment was made in 2024. These efforts have already delivered an estimated 40% reduction in air charter emissions, equivalent to more than 20,000 tCO2e.

The sport also made its first investment in sustainable maritime fuel in 2025, creating a lower-carbon option for transporting cargo between race destinations.

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Travel and Facilities Deliver the Biggest Savings

One of the strongest results came from reductions in travel-related emissions, which fell by more than 21,000 tCO2e, representing a 27% decline compared to 2018.

Meanwhile, Formula One’s carbon footprint benefited significantly from improvements at factories, offices, and team facilities. Emissions from these locations dropped by more than 37,000 tCO2e, marking a 64% reduction from 2018 levels.

The report attributes much of this progress to increased renewable energy adoption across Formula 1 operations and its 11 participating teams.

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Cleaner Race Weekends

Race operations have also become more sustainable. During the 2025 season, all European Grand Prix events incorporated alternative energy solutions, including:

  • Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
  • Solar power systems
  • Battery storage technologies

These measures helped reduce race operation emissions by 17% per event, saving more than 1,000 tCO2e.

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Staying on Track for Net Zero

Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said the results demonstrate the sport’s commitment to delivering measurable environmental progress rather than simply making promises.

With Formula One’s carbon footprint falling despite continued growth, it is increasingly viewed as a case study in how large global organizations can balance expansion with sustainability. While challenges remain, particularly in freight and international travel, the latest report suggests that the sport is making meaningful progress toward its goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2030.

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Author

  • Sarah Tancredi is an experienced journalist and news reporter specializing in environmental and climate crisis issues. With a deep passion for the planet and a commitment to raising awareness about pressing environmental challenges, Sarah has dedicated her career to informing the public and promoting sustainable solutions. She strives to inspire individuals, communities, and policymakers to take action to safeguard our planet for future generations.

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