“It’s fundamental to our existence and the future that we get this right.” Such a statement might seem extreme, almost sensationalist, but Motorsport UK CEO Hugh Chambers is acutely aware of exactly how important embracing sustainability has become.
Whether it’s referred to as climate change or global warming, it is (pardon the pun) a hot topic and with good reason. The flooding that caused the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and the wildfires that have engulfed parts of Canada are just two of the high-profile climate disasters around the globe in recent months.
Closer to home, the UK is undergoing another heatwave as global temperatures continue to rise year on year. There’s no escaping this stark reality, and it means a greater focus is being placed on all aspects of society to lower carbon emissions. Motorsport, rightly or wrongly, is under scrutiny more than any other sport and, as a result, critiqued immensely on what it’s doing to make a difference.
“A few years ago, I remember having a conversation with one of the larger circuit owners in this country and they were extremely sceptical about the need to embark on any proactive interventions in regard to sustainability,” says Chambers. “I think the actual expression they used was, ‘if you put your head above the parapet then it will just draw everyone’s focus to us, and everyone will start zoning in on us.’
“Fast forward a couple of years and the attitude has literally gone 180 degrees, which is that we need to be on the front foot. We need to be leading and we need to be setting examples.”
Rather than ignoring the issue – or denying that it’s even one in the first place – Motorsport UK is facing the challenge head-on. The governing body has released a Sustainability Strategy to look at how it can make a positive impact on the environment, as well as society and the economy more generally. This it hopes will be achieved by working alongside the FIA and adopting 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as outlined by the United Nations.
Source: Autosport