Tue 21 Sep 2021 | by Rob Hutchins

Formula E becomes first sport to join the SBTi to tackle global warming

Formula E has become the first sport to join the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the Business Ambition Pledge to tackle global warming. The new partnership was detailed during Climate Week NYC and landed on the one-year anniversary of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship becoming the first and only sport to be certified net zero carbon since its inception. The new commitment aligns with the sport’s move to cut its emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and its ongoing mission to ‘reduce air pollution and fight against climate change.’ The SBTi is a partnership between the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute, CDP, and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and is the leading force of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign. The campaign itself is an urgent call to action from a network of UN agencies, business and industry leaders, geared towards mobilising companies to set net zero science-based targets ‘in line with a 1.5°C future.’ It all falls in line with the #PurposeDriven movement that was launched by the FIA back in 2020, with an eye for increasing motor sports’ positive contribution to society in terms of health and safety, environment, diversity and inclusion, and community development. Jamie Reigle, Formula E chief executive officer, said: “The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship exists to accelerate sustainable human progress through the power of electric racing. “One year ago, Formula E became the first sport to be certified net zero since inception. Today, we achieve another first in aligning with the Science Based Targets initiative, reinforcing our leading position in world sport.” Among the new measures that Formula E has now committed to in its alignment with the SBTi are its efforts to reduce its absolute Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas emissions - covering all energy used and purchased at its HQ and live events - by 60 per cent by 2030, and Scope 3 GHG emissions - which spans all other emissions, including freight, business travel, food, and drink - by 27.5 per cent by 2030. Formula E has now also become a member of the Race To Zero global camaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, and investors for a resilient zero carbon recovery. “We are delighted to see a host of other sporting events and properties accelerate their own sustainability agendas to reach net zero faster,” said Reigle. “Formula E will continue to set the agenda for sport as a catalyst for change and showcase how we can all take tangible steps to reduce our combined carbon footprint.” Alberto Carrillo Pineda, managing director, Science Based Targets at CDP, added: “We congratulate the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship on setting science-based targets consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement. “By setting ambitious science-based targets grounded in climate science, Formula E is taking action to prevent the most damaging effects of climate change.”