28/08/2007
NEWS STORY
A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has today unveiled an ambitious series of initiatives to help reduce its environmental footprint.
Measures include switching to biofuel (30% ethanol mix), waste reduction measures, carbon-offsetting unavoidable emissions and promoting environmental awareness to a global audience spanning 150 countries.
These initiatives were announced today at A1GP's Official 2007/08 Test Session at Silverstone International Circuit by Pete da Silva, CEO, A1GP, in front of a global audience which included the UK Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment Peter Ainsworth MP.
"In addition to offering a great global sporting event we have a responsibility to conduct our business in a manner which minimises the impact of our operations on the environment. We take this responsibility seriously and aim to develop and promote environmental technology, differentiating A1GP from other global series. At the same time, our initiatives will educate our staff, partners, fans and the community at large about the ongoing fight against climate change," said Mr da Silva.
Peter Ainsworth MP commented: "There are millions of motorsport fans around the world. And millions of environmentally concerned citizens. Today's announcement by A1GP brings the two a little closer together and that can only be a good thing for the fight against climate change."
A1GP is the first truly global motorsport body to switch to a 30% biofuel mix. The decision to move to a bio-ethanol based engine was made possible through partnership with Zytek, the series' engine manufacturer. The new fuel, an ethanol based product Hiperflo™ E30, is produced by the racing fuels specialist blender, Petrochem Carless. Sourced from sugar beet in Europe and specifically produced for the A1GP series, the fuel produces less harmful particulate matter than conventional fuels and will reduce the amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. By implementing E30, A1GP are expecting to reduce CO2 emissions per car by 21% this coming season based on a well to wheel basis calculation.
John Manchester, Operations Director for Zytek Engineering added: "Zytek believe that the decision made by A1GP to use Bio-Ethanol based fuel for the new season of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport is an excellent demonstration of yet more forward thinking by this exciting international racing series. A1GP, Zytek and Petrochem Carless have been able to prove that more environmentally responsible racing cars can also still deliver ontrack performance and exciting racing."
A1GP unveiled a series of other initiatives as part of a new environmental policy developed with Ernst & Young. This policy will guide the future direction of A1GP establishing a set of core environmental principles right at the heart of its operations. The policy is based on a four-pillared long-term mission to reduce, replace, offset and promote.
"Initiatives like this are very important’, said Robert Casamento, Director at Ernst & Young. ‘We are pleased to be working with A1GP to deliver tangible and effective results that align business and environmental objectives."
Also announced today was a commercial partnership with Vectrix, a provider of zero-emission electric maxi-scooters. Vectrix will provide these maxi-scooters for use throughout the series, transporting drivers, staff and media around race location circuits, reducing the need for petrol based transportation.
Alongside these commitments to minimising its own environmental impacts A1GP will look to promote environmental awareness across its fan base throughout the course of the 2007/08 season. This will be achieved through a combination of marketing platforms such as consumer displays, trackside and on-car signage, website and broadcast.
Pete da Silva added: "Our commitment to the environment doesn’t stop at the racetrack: we are reaching out to our global audience to educate and influence. Millions of people enjoy our races and we believe we can help empower them to consider their relationship with the environment and take action to reduce their impact upon it. Our global reach also gives us the ability to engage with our partners on a worldwide level about their own carbon footprint, which will be key to reducing global carbon emissions."