Formula E is the first global sport certified under BSI’s Net Zero Pathway, aligning with ISO Net Zero Guidelines.
The championship commits to cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% and Scope 3 by 27.5% by 2030, with verified progress and audits.
Certification sets a new standard in sport by prioritizing real, science-based carbon reduction over offsets.
Formula E has become the first sport globally to receive certification under the British Standards Institution’s (BSI) Net Zero Pathway, marking a major milestone in credible climate action for the sports industry.
Following an independent and rigorous audit, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship was certified by BSI based on its operations since Season 9 (2022/23). The certification affirms that Formula E has established robust, science-based targets to cut emissions and has implemented a management system aligned with ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42:2022).
Unlike many net zero claims that rely heavily on carbon offsets, BSI’s certification demands verified carbon footprint data, rigorous reduction strategies, and transparent reporting. Formula E’s certification keeps it ahead of regulatory developments such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and provides assurance to sponsors, teams, partners, and fans regarding its environmental claims.
“The BSI Net Zero Pathway goes beyond generic carbon pledges by verifying that an organisation’s carbon footprint data, reduction plans and methodologies meet the highest international benchmarks,” said BSI. Certification is granted only to organizations demonstrating ongoing, standards-based decarbonization plans, subject to annual audits and third-party verification.
As part of its commitment, Formula E aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% and Scope 3 emissions by 27.5% by 2030, using a 2018–19 baseline. The organization has also set a target to achieve credible net zero emissions by 2040, or at the latest by 2050, in accordance with the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework.
The emissions reduction strategy includes maximizing renewable electricity, optimizing freight logistics, using sustainable fuels, and creating low-impact food, waste, and fan experiences.
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Julia Pallé, VP of Sustainability at Formula E, emphasized the importance of accountability in climate leadership.
“Since day one, Formula E has pushed the boundaries of what sport can stand for, showing that elite motor racing and sustainability can thrive together,” she said. “Becoming the first sport certified on the BSI Net Zero Pathway demonstrates that our climate action isn’t just a promise – it’s a robust, science-backed and data-led strategy, verified by the world’s leading standards body.”
Matt Page, Senior Vice President of Assurance Services at BSI, reinforced the broader implications of this certification.
“We are at a critical point in our global journey toward net zero, and we all have a part to play,” he said. “As the first motorsport to achieve Net Zero Pathway certification, Formula E is setting a new benchmark for the industry. This isn’t just recognition of technical achievement; it’s a powerful signal that when sustainability is underpinned by trusted standards and independent assurance, it becomes more than a goal. It becomes a system for lasting, credible change.”
Formula E’s achievement not only solidifies its sustainability leadership in global sport, but also raises the bar for how climate commitments are measured, verified, and delivered across the sector.
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