The FIA has signed the ‘Sports for Nature Framework’ during its Sustainable Innovation Series at the 2024 Motorsport Games as it commits to reducing its impact on nature and biodiversity.
The motorsport governing body signed the framework - a joint global initiative between the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy - in Valencia, Spain.
The Sports for Nature Framework aims to commit sports such as motorsport to protecting and reducing their impact on biodiversity by 2030 and beyond. By joining the initiative, the motorsport governing body hopes that teams will follow suit.
FIA senate Carmelo Sanz de Barros explained: “By becoming a signatory to the Sports for Nature Framework, we are taking a step further in our commitment to sustainability.
“We encourage all the motorsport stakeholders to join us and take an active part in this important initiative. Together we hold the power to create lasting change and a better future for our sport and our planet."
The signing of this framework means the FIA will work to produce a plan of action to promote sustainable development, the preservation of natural habitats and the protection of biodiversity - for its internal operations and its championships including Formula 1.
Programme leader Meredith McCurdy said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome the FIA into the Framework and we look forward to working with the Federation to further integrate nature conservation into the world of motorsport.”
FIA Sustainability and D&I Director Sara Mariani added: “Today, we are proud to make a strong commitment to nature. We aim to help build a positive future, halting and reversing its loss.
“Our organisation will take measures to protect and avoid damage to biodiversity, taking actions to restore and regenerate it.”
Motorsport teams such as those in F1 have taken greater steps to reduce their impact on the environment in recent years - and recent months.
Mercedes recently revealed that, during the European leg of the 2024 F1 season, it had increased its use of biofuel from 74% to 98% to save more than 500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
Moreover, Aston Martin’s new F1 factory has been built with a strong emphasis on protecting the local environment near Silverstone having planted more than 72,000 square metres of wild meadow, and more than 31,000 shrubs, plants and trees.
Meanwhile, F1’s technology centre in Kent, UK, has used 100% renewable energy as the world championship pushes to a net zero carbon target by 2030.