SAF book-and-claim adopted by Formula 1 motor racing to reduce cargo flight emissions

International motor racing is committing to reduce its Scope 3 emissions through procuring SAF using book-and-claim. Formula 1 has announced its first investment in SAF as part of its “ultra-efficient logistics strategy” and a target of reaching Net Zero by 2030. The first phase focuses on SAF purchases through its global partner DHL for air cargo to and from ‘flyaway’ races since the Australian Grand Prix in March and covers around 20% of subsequent cargo flights this racing season. The UK-based Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One race team, meanwhile, began book-and-claim offsetting in 2022 and claims to be the first global sports team to do so. Its programme was facilitated by SAF supplier SkyNRG and British Airways. The team expects a fourfold reduction in its aviation emissions by the end of 2025 compared to 2022 through the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc).

Formula 1 said SAF is part of a continued transition to sustainable fuels across the sport and its operations. From 2026, F1 cars will run on 100% sustainable fuel, while F2 and F3 will reach that standard by next season, having been at 55% since the start of 2023, and the FIA safety and medical cars currently use 40% sustainable fuel. Grands Prix in Europe are delivered using biofuel-powered trucks and from next season, F1 will also power key operational areas using a low-carbon power solution provided by Aggreko.

It said as it wasn’t possible to directly fuel cargo planes used to move F1 freight with SAF, it is instead procuring it through DHL’s GoGreen Plus service, in which the amount of fuel needed would be ‘booked’ and added to the supply chain in other planes where SAF is directly available. “This ensures a high standard of product quality and traceability, with all carbon reductions verified before F1 can ‘claim’ them in their carbon footprint,” said Formula 1. “This model helps reduce carbon emissions with current SAF volumes and encourages future market growth.”

It added that SAF was to be “a core part” of Formula 1’s alternative fuel strategy and its use would be extended “in the coming months and years”. Other steps to reduce the sport’s carbon footprint include rationalising the FIA Formula One World Championship calendar where possible to create a better flow of races; utilising regional hubs in Europe, UAE and the US to reduce the distance freight travels between events; and redesigning cargo containers to fit on more efficient Boeing 777 aircraft, thereby reducing emissions by around 17%.

“Our longstanding partnership with Formula 1 is built on a shared passion for innovation and excellence. We are committed to using our expertise to transport Formula 1’s cars and equipment around the world in the most efficient way possible,” said Paul Fowler, Head of Motorsports Logistics, DHL. “With 40 years of expertise in motorsports logistics, we are focused on cutting down greenhouse gas emissions and making motorsport more sustainable with every step we take.”

“Formula 1 has always been at the forefront of innovation, and our early stage investment in sustainable aviation fuel is a testament to our dedication to deliver on our Net Zero by 2030 commitment,” commented Ellen Jones, Head of ESG, Formula 1. “SAF is just the latest step for the business and underscores how alternative fuels both on an off the track can materially reduce carbon emissions. This delivery of our sustainability strategy is only made possible through coordinated actions across our sport.”

An early adopter of SAF book-and-claim, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One motor racing team has estimated a total reduction of 18,500 CO2 equivalent tonnes (tCO2e) during 2024 and 2025, cutting 8,000 tCO2e this year and another 10,500 tCO2e next year, through SAFc.

“Our investment in sustainable aviation fuel is more than a strategy,” explained Alice Aspitel, the team’s Head of Sustainability. “We believe it can create a greener future. We see SAFc as a game-changer, a way for sports and businesses to make a lasting impact. We hope that our support for this sector can help trigger others to do the same and derive further investment in SAF production.”

Amsterdam-based SAF supplier SkyNRG said voluntary demand signals for the fuel were continuing to strengthen as airlines, cargo companies and corporations increasingly established ambitious SAF usage targets to help compensate for their contributions to flight emissions. It estimated in its 2024 global SAF market assessment that announced demand would reach 12 million tons (4 billion gallons) by 2030.

In its latest sustainability report, Mercedes-AMG Petronas said it was committed not just to leading automotive technologies, but also innovative sustainability measures.  

“As a Formula One team racing on multiple continents, aviation accounts for a significant portion of our carbon footprint, so our investment has significantly improved our overall environmental impact and supported our journey towards net zero, despite increased travel due to a growing race calendar.”  

In 2023, the team reduced its business travel emissions by 6,695 tCO2e, or 65%, compared to 2022, when emissions fell by 2,628 tCO2e.

Between 2022 and the end of 2025, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One expects to achieve total carbon emissions reductions of more than 27,500 tonnes through investment in SAFc, four times its annual reduction since adopting book-and-claim.

To ensure environmental integrity, the race team’s claimed reductions using SAFc are authenticated using the best practice accounting standards in the ‘SAF Certificate Emissions and Accounting Guidelines’ of the Clean Skies for Tomorrow Coalition.

“This reflects our commitment to understanding and addressing our environmental impact, while also supporting the growth and credibility of the SAF certificate market. We aim to showcase SAFc’s potential and demonstrate its impact, encouraging others to adopt SAFc and drive further investment,” the race team said.

The investment in SAFc also reflected the team’s twin strategy of buying book-and-claim certificates to support market growth while concurrently enhancing the capacity of refineries to increase production of SAF. 

“A net reduction in our emissions sits at the heart of our operations and the ambitious sustainability targets we have set ourselves,” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team, also highlighting emission reduction initiatives in its ground operations, including the use of renewable fuel for support vehicles and shared transport for employees. “We continue to invest in innovative solutions and technology that will enhance our performance, helping us go further, faster,” he said.

SkyNRG said companies held unique positions in driving sustainable behaviours. “Adopting SAF sets your organisation apart as a sustainability leader in your industry,” the company said. “Investing in SAF and reducing your carbon footprint sends an inspiring message to your employees, customers and shareholders.”

Photo (F1): Formula 1 to procure SAF through DHL’s book-and-claim programme

Tony Harrington

Correspondent

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Additional reporting by Christopher Surgenor

Book-and-claim will be featured at Aviation Carbon 2024!