Formula 1 has announced it is on course to meet its commitment of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, reporting significant progress in its latest annual review. The motor racing organisation stated that its carbon footprint has seen a 35% reduction from its 2018 baseline, with a further 12% decrease since 2024. This translates to a drop in total carbon dioxide emissions from 228,793 tonnes in 2018 to 148,805 tonnes in 2025.
The impressive reductions encompass emissions from F1's own operations, as well as those generated by the factories, facilities, and travel activities of all participating teams. A major contributor to these figures has been a strategic shift from air freight to more sustainable sea freight options. Furthermore, substantial investment in sustainable aviation fuels and a rationalisation of the race schedule have played pivotal roles.
Breaking down the figures, emissions from factories and facilities have seen a remarkable 64% reduction compared to 2018 levels, and a 14% year-on-year decrease. Logistics emissions are also down by 21% year-on-year and 29% since 2018. An illustrative example of F1's efforts to streamline operations and cut emissions is the geographical grouping of race calendars, enabling more efficient movement of freight and personnel between events. For instance, holding the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix consecutively this year, rather than interspersed with European races, is reported to have cut logistics and travel carbon emissions by almost 3%.
Looking ahead, a significant step will be the mandated use of advanced sustainable fuels in races from 2026. While emissions from the competition itself constitute a small percentage of the overall total, these new fuels are projected to deliver an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. F1's emissions data calculations are verified through a third-party reporting platform, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
Stefano Domenicali, F1 President and CEO, attributed these positive results to a collective effort across the sport. He highlighted that these reductions have been achieved even as the sport continues to expand globally. Ellen Jones, F1's head of environmental, social and governance, emphasised the doubling of investment in sustainable aviation fuel and initial investment in sustainable maritime fuel, alongside ongoing collaboration with promoters, teams, and partners, as crucial for driving further emissions reductions and accelerating the adoption of new technologies.