Formula One announces ambitious sustainability initiative with Qatar Airways
Pushing on with its sustainability ambitions, Formula 1 has announced it is expanding its investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel through a new programme developed with Global Partner Qatar Airways.
For the 2024 F1 season, F1's logistics partner DHL has doubled its fleet of biofuel-powered trucks to 37, helping reduce carbon emissions during F1’s European races. These trucks, running on HVO100 drop-in fuel, cut emissions by 83% compared to diesel alternatives.
In addition, DHL’s GoGreen Plus initiative saw a fifth of F1’s cargo flights outside Europe use sustainable aviation fuel.
Formula 1 has now announced it is expanding its investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel through a new programme developed with its global partner Qatar Airways.
The sport noted that "the combined investment in the two programmes in 2024 will reduce related emissions by more than 8,000 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent). This is an approximate 19% reduction in related emissions, compared to traditional aviation fuel, for the air freight charter programme operated by Formula 1 across the flyaway events of the 2024 season."
Formula One noted that its investment in SAF is a key part of its logistics strategy and hopes that it will keep the sport on track to meet its Net Zero by 2030 commitment, which requires at least a 50% reduction in emissions, vs the 2018 baseline.
SAF demonstrates Formula 1’s ongoing shift towards alternative fuels across all aspects of the sport. On the track, the cars will use 100% advanced sustainable fuel from 2026, with F2 and F3 reaching this standard by next season, having been at 55% since the start of 2023. The FIA Safety and Medical cars also currently use 40% advanced sustainable fuel.
Commenting on the ambitious plans, Formula One's Head of ESG Ellen Jones said: “Today’s investment is the next step in our alternative fuels strategy which is central to delivering ou Net Zero 2030 target.
"Through collaboration with our Teams, the FIA and our partners, we are delivering on our promises to drive down the sports’ carbon emissions and drive forward technologies that can have an impact beyond Formula 1.
"This is the latest example of how stakeholders across the sport are aligned with our vision for a more sustainable F1, which we are thrilled to see," Jones concluded.
