Formula One teams managed to reduce their overall carbon emission output between 2009 and 2011 by seven per cent, according to figures from the Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA).
The biggest drive in reduction came from the greater fuel efficiency achieved during this time. The audit, conducted by environmental research analysis organisation Trucost, found that fuel efficiency led to a 24 per cent cut in carbon emissions.
Trucost’s analysis also identified a 14 per cent fall in emissions from electricity use, following team-wide efforts to reduce wind tunnel use in race testing, and a 14 per cent reduction in emissions linked to purchases of parts and raw materials – though this area remains the greatest contributor at almost 50 per cent of the total emissions.
Three areas which increased between ’09 and ’11 were freight at 16 per cent, business travel at almost 39 per cent and operational fuel use at 25 per cent.
These increases are mainly down to the enlarged calendar compared to seasons before and the fewer European events, which means equipment is being shipped further afield as a result.
The report also found that the F1 cars themselves only contributed 0.25 per cent of the total CO2 output, whilst freight and business travel contributed almost 25 per cent.
Note: Report uses data supplied by Caterham, Lotus, Marussia, Mercedes, Force India, Sauber, McLaren and Williams.
