As the COP26 climate change summit draws to a close, the most important question to ask is: what next? How can we all take collective action to help tackle this important and urgent societal issue?
In Glasgow, motorsport took centre stage as a leading pillar in the move towards greater sustainable actions within global sport. As an agency that has worked with clients across a broad range of motorsport series since its inception almost 20 years ago, it seems appropriate that we use that as a focal point to demonstrate an industry looking to accelerate change beyond COP26.
In the world of motorsport, we have already seen teams and organisations call for action to be accelerated. Williams Racing recently issued their new sustainability strategy, committing to becoming climate positive by 2030, while there has been a rallying cry from all series to make technology greener. The strategy has been developed over the last year and aims to tackle crucial environmental and societal challenges that face motorsport, global sport, and the planet. The team has also recently gained FIA Three-star environmental accreditation after aligning with industry-specific standards.
The FIA World rally Championship (WRC) is set to step into a new hybrid era in 2022, undergoing significant environmental changes which will lead the series into a more sustainable future. Switching to hybrid is more about aligning the WRC with sport and society, reflecting the trend of road car manufacturers similarly going hybrid.
Additionally, the UK-based British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) will be integrating hybrid technology from next year. Alan Gow, BTCC Series Director, said: “The BTCC has always been built on what you drive on the road, so with automotive markets moving towards electrification it would be nonsensical of us not to do that as well.”
F1 has also created a new logo, unveiled at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, to emphasise the sport’s green credentials. The branding features a green backdrop and adds a ‘powered by hybrid since 2014’ tagline next to the logo. It also aims to highlight the efforts to produce a 100% sustainably-fuelled hybrid engine in 2025. The second-generation hybrid power unit is set to be carbon neutral and powered by a 100% sustainable ‘drop-in fuel’, reducing the environmental impact the championship has.
With several new series emerging, it could redefine what ‘motor’ sports we are watching in the coming years. The likes of Extreme E has already begun demonstrating technology that could make its way to consumer EVs in years to come. Plus, the first-ever eSkootr Championship and Electro Rallycross will showcase the capabilities and advances of electric technology while also providing thrilling racing for audiences.
Whatever happens, SQN is committed to playing its part by both implementing changes within our own organisation and by generating creative ideas to showcase the green credentials of our clients.
