Grove, Oxfordshire UK: Williams Racing, one of the most successful teams in Formula One history, commits to a far-reaching climate change target. Building on the progress the global motorsport industry has made on sustainability in recent years, Williams Racing goes further than any other race team or motor racing series in the world to commit to becoming climate positive by 2030.
To achieve this ambitious goal, Williams Racing has developed a series of robust technological and data-driven initiatives as part of a comprehensive purpose-driven sustainability strategy, aiming to address some of the most important environmental and societal challenges facing Formula One, global sport, and the planet.
The Williams Racing Sustainability Strategy, developed over the last year after extensive expert analysis, is based on five key pillars: Climate Action, Biodiversity Stewardship, Sustainable Innovation, Industry Access for All, and Purpose-Driven Leadership. Each pillar defines actions that Williams will be taking in the short and medium-term to accelerate the transition to a better planet. Further transparency and accountability, each objective will be measured, audited, and annually reported.
Williams is committed to learning and sharing best practices from all sectors and adhering to international initiatives. Accordingly, this strategy brings its emissions reduction target to the below 2 degrees Celsius target of the Paris Climate Agreement and UN Climate Change Global Agenda. Williams Racing is now the first Formula One Team to sign the UNFCCC, UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. Also, Williams Racing Sustainability objectives are aligned with 12 of the 17 United Nations Development Goals (SDGs). Williams Racing is also aligned with industry-specific standards and has recently gained FIA Three-star environmental accreditation.
Jost Capito, CEO, Williams Racing: “Williams Racing is a pioneer in Formula One and the racing world and has a strong heritage developing Formula One technology and transferring it to the EV and sustainable transport and energy sectors. We are living in a time when our planet and society are changing faster than ever. Building on the global motorsport industry’s progress on sustainability in recent years, we have taken time to analyze our entire operation and develop a comprehensive purpose-driven thoroughly, Sustainability Strategy to accelerate our sustainable transformation. As a team, we wanted to push the envelope and be the pacesetter for sustainability in global motorsport and the wider automotive industry. So today, we are committing to be climate positive by 2030, and we will be using our knowledge to nurture and develop advanced technology to meet this goal.
“We know where we are strong and understand where improvement is required, and we are open to learning from others and sharing best practices in pursuit of our ambitious objectives. To help raise the baseline of sustainable performance in our industry, we welcome interaction and partnerships with key motorsport stakeholders, automotive companies, brands, and organizations who share our vision.”
“As a huge global sporting platform, Formula One has the power to inspire millions of people across the world, and as the pinnacle of so many advanced technologies, Formula One can create technical solutions to help tackle the challenges we face as a planet. As we progress towards our goal to be climate positive in the years ahead, I hope that Williams Racing can inspire all those connected with our sport and beyond, using motorsport as a catalyst for significant and long-lasting change.”
The five key pillars of the Williams Racing Sustainability Strategy
λ Climate Action covers the strategy and targets for how the team will reduce carbon emissions for travel and energy consumption at HQ, reduce waste and water usage, and create its own energy on its journey to becoming climate positive.
λ Biodiversity Stewardship covers the strategy and targets for how the team protects and preserves the biodiversity on the 60 acres of the HQ campus, including the Letcombe Brook – one of only 240 chalk streams in the world.
λ Sustainable Innovation covers the strategy and targets to foster sustainable and innovative solutions that tackle global challenges in and outside of F1™. This includes Williams Racing undertaking complete life cycle management of its racing cars, deploying circular economy strategies within the team, and being actively involved in projects such as carbon capture technologies.
λ Industry Access for All covers the strategy and targets to make motorsport more accessible by creating an environment in which anyone can thrive and a workforce that reflects our community through academy programs, scholarships, and Esports.
λ Purpose Driven Leadership covers the strategy and targets for Williams Racing to act as pacesetters for sustainability within the motorsport industry. We build a strong, transparent, and accountable culture in our team, at races, with our partners, suppliers, local community, and fans.
λ Lindita Xhaferi-Slihu, Sector Engagement in Climate Action, Lead, from the UNFCCC, commented, “We are pleased to welcome Williams Racing as a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. The team is the first Formula One Team joining the Framework, sending a clear signal on the growing importance of setting clear climate targets and using the sport and technologies as a catalyst for change. We look forward to working together with Williams Racing to deliver on the goals of the Framework.”
The Williams Racing Sustainability Strategy was developed with support from Enovation Consulting, purpose-driven sustainability, and strategic management agency.
