Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team commits to Sustainable Aviation Fuel for group travel

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team says it is becoming the first global sports team to commit to invest in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as it looks to further reduce its CO2 emissions and reach Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-verified net zero emission goal by 2030.

The Formula One team will invest multi-million dollars in buying SAF claims for powering the many flights that the team personnel take throughout the year for business purposes and to travel to different Grand Prix racing locations. The SAF purchase will be used for Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s indirect Scope 3 aviation emissions that are generally excluded from the Formula One cost cap.

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Air travel accounts for more than 25% of the team’s total projected carbon footprint, and this commitment towards investing in SAF is expected to help the racing team reduce its personnel’s air travel carbon footprint by almost 50%, with the remaining aviation carbon emissions to be managed through Gold Standard carbon offsets.

 “Our aim is to embed sustainability in every decision we make and action we take,” Alice Ashpitel, Sustainability & Environmental Manager at the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, said. “We believe that Sustainable Aviation Fuel can change the way that sports and businesses more generally, as some of the biggest users of aviation, can exert a positive influence on the outside world. We hope to play a leading role in showcasing what’s possible with SAF and prove to other industries what can be achieved.”

 The operations of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team have been carbon neutral since 2020, using MyClimate Gold Standard carbon offsets earned by supporting wind and solar power projects in Turkey and Dominican Republic.