Formula E accelerates its sustainability agenda through landmark commitment with the United Nations
This strategic move builds upon Formula E’s recent achievement of topping the Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sport for the third consecutive year, further cementing the championship’s reputation as a pioneer in sustainable sporting practices. The partnership marks a significant development for motorsport’s role in addressing global climate challenges.
Racing with measurable impact
Formula E’s core philosophy centres on measurable sustainability outcomes rather than abstract commitments. The championship currently adheres to stringent environmental standards, including ISO 14064-1 and ISO Net Zero Guidelines for quantification, reporting, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Recent practical achievements demonstrate this commitment to tangible results. For Season 11, the championship reduced freight-related CO2 emissions by at least 25%, resulting in approximately 5,500 tonnes of carbon savings across the 16-race calendar. This initiative forms part of Formula E’s broader Science Based Targets initiative, which aims to reduce the championship’s carbon footprint by 45% by 2030, compared to Season 5 output.
The racing series has established these reduction targets through careful baseline analysis and implementation of practical solutions. By focusing on freight optimisation—a significant contributor to motorsport’s carbon footprint—Formula E demonstrates how sporting organisations can maintain global operations while significantly reducing environmental impact.
Joining global sustainability leaders
The Energy Compacts programme represents a framework for voluntary, trackable commitments designed to advance universal energy access and sustainable practices. With nearly 200 commitments already submitted by governments, corporations and international organisations, Formula E joins a prestigious group of entities working toward the clean energy transition.
By participating in this UN-led initiative, the championship aligns itself with numerous national governments and global corporations that have made specific, measurable pledges to support sustainable energy development. This positioning elevates Formula E beyond motorsport, establishing the organisation as a contributor to broader global sustainability efforts.
The details of Formula E’s specific Energy Compact commitments will be announced following the official signing in Barbados. These forthcoming commitments will complement the championship’s existing sustainability initiatives, which already position it as the leader in environmentally responsible motorsport.
Motorsport as a sustainability catalyst
Formula E’s participation in the Energy Compact initiative reflects the championship’s fundamental mission: to accelerate sustainable human progress through electric racing. Unlike traditional motorsport, which primarily focuses on entertainment and technical development, Formula E explicitly positions itself as a platform for advancing environmental solutions.
“Formula E has always raced with purpose – demonstrating that high-performance motorsport and sustainability can coexist, without compromise. By joining the Energy Compact, we’re taking another significant step in using our platform to drive meaningful change.”
Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E
This approach represents a fundamental shift in how sporting organisations view their role in addressing environmental challenges. Rather than treating sustainability as an adjacent concern, Formula E places it at the core of its organisational identity and strategic decision-making.
“Joining the Energy Compact represents a natural progression in our sustainability journey and reinforces our commitment to creating measurable positive impact beyond our race tracks. This is about taking necessary action and delivering verifiable results that contribute to global climate goals.”
Julia Pallé, Vice President of Sustainability at Formula E
Setting new standards for sport
The partnership with SEforALL, United Nations and UN-Energy positions Formula E as a model for how sporting organisations can contribute meaningfully to global sustainability efforts. By establishing verifiable commitments through the Energy Compact framework, the championship creates a replicable approach that other sports could potentially adopt.
This leadership role extends beyond motorsport into the broader sporting landscape. As organisations across various sports face mounting pressure to address their environmental impact, Formula E’s structured approach to sustainability provides a potential blueprint for effective action.
The championship’s consistent recognition through the Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sport validates this approach. By maintaining the top position for three consecutive years, Formula E demonstrates that systematic sustainability initiatives can yield measurable results and external validation.
As specific details of Formula E’s Energy Compact commitments emerge, the motorsport community and broader corporate sustainability observers will gain further insight into how global sporting properties can leverage international frameworks to advance environmental objectives. This development marks another chapter in Formula E’s ongoing effort to transform motorsport from an environmental liability into a catalyst for positive change.