The Race to Net Zero: Formula E Champ di Grassi Buys Carbon Offsets from Rubicon Carbon

Lucas di Grassi, Formula E Champion and ABT CUPRA driver, has partnered with Rubicon Carbon, a leading carbon credit management firm, to offset his carbon footprint. This collaboration makes di Grassi the first Formula E driver to invest in carbon credits to address his emissions.

Di Grassi Shifts Gears to Carbon Offsets

Motorsports’ rapid growth has raised environmental concerns, particularly due to high carbon emissions. Initially limited in sustainable practices, the industry now focuses on reducing emissions, conserving energy, and using renewable resources to combat climate change and promote greener racing.

Formula E exemplifies how a complex, global motorsport industry can strive for net zero emissions. Di Grassi, a known activist in mobility technology, has become a leading advocate for environmental responsibility in racing. He is the first driver to offset all his CO2 emissions from global travel, starting with his first Formula E race in China.

Di Grassi has created a Rubicon Carbon Tonne (RCT) portfolio, a diversified collection of carbon credits. This portfolio includes various carbon removal, nature-based avoidance, and industrial avoidance projects, designed to reduce risk and provide price certainty for buyers, enhancing their carbon offsetting options.

“In line with the values and objectives of Formula E, I drive an electric car and have adapted my lifestyle. But still, credible carbon avoidance and removal is the only way to do the sport we love and be responsible for our environment at the same time. I would be delighted if many other athletes, not only in Formula E, would consider the same path,” said di Grassi.

Zero-Emission Race: Formula E’s Sustainability Revolution

Their collaboration illustrates how sports partnerships can drive positive environmental change and raise awareness about sustainability. Tom Montag, CEO of Rubicon Carbon, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are excited to support Lucas and Formula E, who share our values in building a low-carbon future.”

Rubicon’s broader strategy includes investing in carbon projects worldwide, such as a large-scale ecosystem restoration project in Panama and a 250,000-acre restoration project in South Africa. By partnering with influential figures like di Grassi, Rubicon aims to inspire broader adoption of carbon offsetting practices within the sports industry and beyond.

Leading the Charge in Net Zero Carbon Racing

With the 2024 Hankook London E-Prix approaching, this milestone underscores Formula E’s commitment to the environment. The sport’s carbon footprint primarily stems from global transportation of teams and vehicles, and fan travel. Formula E addresses this by logically scheduling races to minimize travel.

In the 2022–23 season, Formula E implemented the ABB Ability OPTIMAX system to monitor race-specific energy usage, enhancing efficiency. Despite these efforts, freight still represents three-quarters of the sport’s carbon footprint. The championship offsets between 35,000 and 40,000 tons of CO2 equivalent annually, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint by 45% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline, already achieving a 25% reduction.

Formula E collaborates with partners like DHL to explore sustainable aviation fuels and integrates sustainability across its supply chain, including recycling tires and using recycled materials for vehicle chassis. The organization’s mission is to showcase how motor racing can thrive without emissions.

Formula E’s Pioneering Sustainability Efforts

Formula E stands as the first sport with a certified net zero carbon footprint since its inception. The organization manages its carbon footprint through a three-step process: Measure, Reduce, and Offset.

Measure: Formula E meticulously measures its carbon emissions across the championship. Partnering with carbon footprint experts, they conduct a Lifecycle Assessment model to evaluate all race operations and headquarters activities, allowing for annual monitoring and calculation of greenhouse gas emissions.

Reduce: The world’s first all-electric FIA World Championship aims to reduce its carbon footprint through direct actions. In 2021, Formula E set emission reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aiming for a 60% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, and a 27.5% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030 from a 2019 baseline.

Offset: To address unavoidable emissions, Formula E invests in renewable energy projects in race markets. In Season 6, these investments offset all emissions since the sport’s inception, making it the first motorsport to achieve net zero carbon status. By aligning with PAS 2060, the international specification for demonstrating carbon neutrality, Formula E became the first global sports organization to do so.

Formula E’s pioneering efforts in measuring, reducing, and offsetting carbon emissions exemplify how high-impact sports can lead sustainability initiatives. By achieving and maintaining net zero carbon status, Formula E sets a benchmark for other industries in the quest for a greener future.

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