• Formula 1 cuts emissions by 26%, halfway to its 2030 Net Zero goal.
• Efforts include cleaner energy, less flying, and remote work.

Formula 1 has made strong progress in cutting its carbon emissions, reaching a 26% drop by the end of 2024 compared to levels in 2018. It puts the sport more than halfway toward its goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030, with plans to offset any remaining emissions after that.

The progress was made possible through joint efforts between F1 teams, event promoters, partners, and the FIA. The changes come during a time of rapid growth for the sport, with the race calendar expanding from 21 events in 2018 to 24 in recent years. Attendance also jumped from 4 million to 6.5 million, and the global fan-base has grown to over 826 million.

According to the organisation’s latest sustainability update [PDF], if Formula 1 had not changed the way it operates, emissions would have risen by around 10% since 2018. Instead, they’ve gone down – with the 2024 carbon footprint measured at 168,720 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, down from 228,793 tonnes in 2018.

That 2018 figure was updated from a previous estimate to better reflect improved data from suppliers and align with international reporting standards. The update helps ensure that the reduction reflects actual improvements and not just changes in how emissions are counted.

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… We will continue to pursue our projects and next year we will introduce new actions, like the use of advanced sustainable fuels in all Formula 1 cars…”

Where the emissions cuts came from

Several key changes helped lower emissions in the sport:

• Factories and offices: Emissions dropped by 59%, or over 34,000 tonnes, thanks to a switch to renewable energy at F1 team sites.
• Travel: Emissions from air travel fell by about 20,000 tonnes, a 25% cut. The was made possible by using more remote broadcasting and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
• Freight and logistics: Emissions dropped by 6,438 tonnes, or 9%, by switching to newer freight containers, using more fuel-efficient planes, and running trucks on biofuels in Europe.
• Race events: Emissions per race went down by 12%, as many venues began using solar power, biofuels, and greener energy sources. Total emissions for all races rose slightly due to the addition of more events.

Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1, said: “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.” She added that upcoming changes to the race calendar starting in 2026 will further support this effort.

What’s next for Formula 1?

Formula 1 plans to keep investing in lower-carbon options, including:

• Using more sustainable aviation fuel and expanding sea freight to cut air travel.
• Creating regional hubs so equipment doesn’t need to travel as far.
• Developing a 100% sustainable fuel that can also be used in regular cars, with full use expected by 2026.
• Reducing the need to move large teams and gear by increasing remote production.

More than 80% of race promoters are now using some form of cleaner energy at events. Partners like Aggreko have also introduced lower-carbon systems using fuels like HVO, solar panels, and battery storage. These systems will be used at all European races from 2025.

Biofueled trucks now carry F1 equipment around Europe, cutting emissions by an average of 83%. The number of races held closer together by region has also gone up, cutting down on long-distance freight travel. In 2024, races in Japan, Singapore, and the Middle East were grouped more closely. From 2026, the Canadian Grand Prix will move to May and Monaco to June to better align with the European race season.

Other steps include:

• All F2 and F3 cars now run on fully sustainable fuel, ahead of F1’s switch in 2026.
• F1 medical and safety cars are already using a 40% sustainable fuel blend.
• All tyres used in the 2024 season were made with rubber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and after races, the tyres are recycled into new materials. Pirelli also uses virtual design tools to cut down on waste during tyre development.

Formula 1 says these changes won’t just help the planet – they’ll also save money over time by making operations more efficient. The work done since 2018 is already showing that racing and sustainability can move forward together.