Since 1886, cars have been roaming our streets. Exciting, extraordinary, exotic, these contraptions exploded onto the centre of the world’s economic, social and political stages. Although cars have been used for a variety of purposes - for transportation and even propaganda – the vehicle is at the heart of innovation. They are not only the glue that draw contemporary society together, but also the vehicles that are at the core of motorsport. With its rich history, motorsport has brought joy and purpose to the lives of many; however, it is becoming an increasingly contentious topic as it is decreasing in sustainability during this climatic crisis.
As a whole, transport contributes to 23% of CO2 emissions per year. This increase of greenhouse gases is exacerbating the greenhouse effect and worsening climate change. Many environmentalists beg the question of how motorsport can be morally justified. In 2018 alone, F1 produced 256,551 tonnes of carbon emissions. With the world spiralling further down towards climate disaster, it is becomingly increasingly worrying that race cars are gulping down huge quantities of fuel.
On a more micro environmental level, motorsport is responsible for eroding ground surfaces and displacing sediment, causing disruption to the local ecosystem. Furthermore, there are high levels of noise pollution and an increase in habitat losses as tracks are paved in greenfield sites. Air pollution is also an issue that causes a huge threat to human health. In the sport, crashes are rare but inevitable and can often result in environmentally damaging toxins being leaked into delicate habitats. Additionally, crashes can mean that non-biodegradable debris may be discarded, causing future waste disposal issues.
However, the future of motorsport is not fully polluted by unsustainability. Many motorsport companies are taking steady strides towards a greener horizon. For example, motorsport UK is already changing the way its vehicles interact with the local environment through a variety of adaptations on the car: regulation has been tightened on tire types to ensure that they produce the least damage on the track; to reduce the spread of debris during a crash or accident, window film has been applied to racing cars; mud flaps have been applied to rally cars, consequently causing displaced gravel to remain on the track; and spill kits are utilised, therefore reducing the impact of spilt substances on the ecosystem. Motorsport UK’s sustainable makeover of the sport does not stop there: they are also focusing on improving the life cycle of cars by improving recycling methods as well as aiming to limit noise pollution.
With an ever increasing demand for change, Formula E sprang onto the motorsport scene in 2014. Clean, innovative and fully electric, Formula E aims to make motorsport a sustainable sport. Their electric cars are not polluters and can actually benefit cities they race in by creating community programmes, engaging with local charities, improving infrastructure and raising awareness around air pollution. Formula E are the future of motorsport as they are a hub of electric mobility innovation.
Formula E achieved net zero carbon emissions at its foundation, and F1 is not far behind. F1 is planning to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 with the help of hybrid car engines, modified powertrains and biofuels.
The motorsport industries has opened its eyes to the realities of the climatic crisis and is now racing towards more sustainable solutions. With a heavy moral obligation weighing upon them, the motorsport industry is bursting back onto the environmental scene in a sustainable renaissance.
By Kareena Cooper.
