McLaren Racing Announces New Sustainability Targets

McLaren have outlined their eco-commitments in a new report including developing a ‘circular’ F1 car | Source: McLaren

Iconic British outfit, the McLaren Racing Team, have outlined their sustainability plans. Aiming to halve their greenhouse gas output by 2030 and achieve net zero carbon emissions in their Formula 1, IndyCar and Extreme E racing operations before 2040.

Initially they were aiming for net zero emissions by 2030, but made a more conservative commitment in the report, pushing that date back a decade.

The time to praise global brands for promoting sustainability as a core value has passed. By now, sustainable principles should be integral to the foundations of every modern organization and already driving decisions on growth and innovation. I’m proud that with the release of McLaren Racing’s first-ever sustainability report, we are moving beyond awareness and intention and into a new phase of accelerated action and accountability.

Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO

The McLaren Racing Team’s first championship was at the Monaco Grand Prix in 1966. They are the second most successful Formula 1 racing teams after Ferrari, having won 183 races, 12 Drivers’ Championships and eight Constructors’ Championships.

So far this year the McLaren F1 Racing Team have appointed Kim Wilson as the team’s first Director of Sustainability, entered the 2022/2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and achieved a three-star Environmental Accreditation from the FIA ​​for the ninth year running.

McLaren Racing says that reducing their carbon footprint in the production of their cars is one of their top priorities. Introducing a lighter, cheaper and more sustainable natural fiber composite seat in 2020 which produces 85 percent less emissions to manufacture than usual F1 seats. These components are fully recyclable themselves, able to be ground down and used again without any residual waste.

They plan to use more natural fiber composites to make the construction of their Formula 1 racing car more sustainable, pledging to send zero material waste trackside to landfill and recycle 100 per cent of waste by 2023.

The McLaren Racing Team have also announced a new collaboration with Nissan in the exciting world of Formula E. They will use Nissan made Gen3 EV powertrain technology in their cars while Nissan will compete in the championship with their own factory team.

The 32,000 square meter McLaren Technology Center in Woking, UK, has been the object of much of the company’s sustainability efforts. The vast facility is completely recyclable and there have been 100,000 trees planted to encourage biodiversity. It has a rainwater capture system, energy efficient lighting and heat capture electricity recycling systems to help limit the carbon footprint of the compound.

Source: Archdaily

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) became carbon neutral by 2021 and are striving for net zero emissions by 2030 in accordance with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. They have introduced the use of fuel made from bio waste, developed under stringent F1 specifications and aims for all F1 races to be “sustainable events” by 2025.

The non-profit making organization says 243 member’s clubs in 146 countries and the 303 championships will reduce their impact on the environment by fostering innovative solutions, growing sustainable practices and driving sustainable change by reusing water and recycling 100 percent of appropriate waste.

By developing fuel made from bio waste that can power Formula 1, we are taking a new step forward. With the support of the world’s leading energy companies, we can combine the best technological and environmental performance.

Jean Todt, FIA President