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Formula 1 jets around the world: Greenpeace calls for a travel revolution

Formula 1 jets around the world: Greenpeace calls for a travel revolution
Racing driver Fernando Alonso
Image: GIUSEPPE CACACE (AFP)

Ursula Bittner from Greenpeace recommends “downsizing” to improve the climate balance: The economic expert proposes, for example, conversion to electric cars, a racing calendar that has been radically streamlined geographically, or a ban on private jets.

It is 11,000 kilometers as the crow flies from Baku to Miami, with quite a few of the Formula 1 entourage stopping briefly in their respective home countries before flying to the USA. And they don’t just rely on scheduled flights, especially the top stars don’t take the private jet.

“Race calendar must be completely restructured”

“The travel expenses of Formula 1 should be reduced as much as possible,” said Bittner of the APA – Austria Press Agency. “That would mean a complete restructuring of the racing calendar, so that the races would take place on one continent after the other and you wouldn’t switch between the continents several times in a season like before.”

Although this would not completely eliminate flights, the kilometers in the air could be significantly reduced. “Private jets should no longer be used, and the arrival of spectators should be directed much more towards public transport,” Bittner continued. It is simply about “real climate protection measures” to limit greenhouse gas emissions. In this respect, turning away from hybrid technology and switching entirely to electric cars would be “ecologically beneficial” – although that is not currently an issue in Formula 1.

Formula 1 wants to be climate neutral by 2030

Nevertheless, the world’s most popular motorsport series wants to become climate-neutral by 2030. The core element of their own narrative are the sustainably produced fuels with which the Formula 1 engines are to be operated from 2026. Thanks to the exemplary effect, according to the plan of the bosses in the background, the fuel innovations should also become relevant for series vehicle production.

However, this seemingly groundbreaking reform will not fundamentally change the carbon footprint of Formula 1. Because, according to a survey from , the fuel consumption of the racing cars does not even account for one percent of the more than 250,000 tons of CO2 equivalents that are emitted in one season. As with any other mass sport, the largest part of the CO2 volume arises from the travel movements of the participants and the fans.

CO2 compensation as “greenwashing”

It is not foreseeable that the entire aviation industry will be on the road with completely sustainable fuels in just a few years. Therefore, Formula 1 and individual teams will ultimately have to resort to CO2 compensation through afforestation or forest protection projects if they want to offset their footprint. Such are already widespread in corporations, but also in the world of sports. The World Ski and Snowboard Federation FIS states that it is even “climate positive” by doing so, i.e. compensating for more CO2 than it emits.

For Greenpeace, such practices clearly fall into the “greenwashing” category. “This is a modern indulgence trade, the CO2 emissions are not neutralized by a tree planted. In addition, nine out of ten reforestation projects do not work. There are forest fires, or the economic pressure is often too high,” explained Bittner. “Burning fossil fuels releases CO2 into the atmosphere and stays there forever, while at the same time you plant a tree you have no idea how long it will be there.” The question is: “What do I do then? In the year x, I described myself as climate-neutral for a forest protection project that may no longer exist in two years because it burst into flames in a forest fire.”

Motorsport and role model effect

According to Greenpeace, there is no getting around actually reducing emissions where they occur. “What simply cannot happen is that a company that buys these projects or pays for them does not have to save CO2,” Bittner emphasized. This applies to the FIS as well as to Formula 1 and other sports organizations. Although Formula 1 cannot be climate-neutral in its current form, it can significantly improve its balance sheet. “If motorsport in particular were to prove that it really takes climate protection seriously, it could serve as a role model for many people for whom the topic is not otherwise a top priority.”

Source: Nachrichten

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