How the FIA Positions Sustainability as a Competitive Asset

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile released its 2025 Sustainability and Diversity & Inclusion Report, detailing how motor sport organisations are implementing environmental changes through infrastructure, fuel standards and supply chain management.

According to the FIA, these operational shifts are tied to energy transformation, electric vehicle development and procurement changes across multiple championships. 

The report outlines how these technical decisions could influence brand perception and competitive differentiation in a sector where environmental credibility is becoming a factor in commercial relationships.

For senior marketers, these concrete milestones offer a blueprint for honest storytelling, giving brands the evidence they need to back up environmental claims. 

Hydrogen regulations and fuel standards

The FIA approved its first technical and safety regulations for liquid hydrogen-powered competition vehicles in 2025. 

This created a framework for using hydrogen technologies in racing environments.

Motor sport functions as a testing environment for innovations that later appear in consumer transportation. 

The report notes that Formula 1 and Formula E are increasing their use of sustainable fuels, hybrid-electric technologies and renewable energy infrastructure.

"Our diversity is our strength. Looking ahead, our direction is clear," says H.E Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA. "We will continue to innovate, strengthen frameworks, and raise standards."

"Together, we are shaping a future in which motor sport and mobility are not only more sustainable, but more inclusive, accessible and truly reflective of the diverse global community we serve."

According to the report, Formula 1 introduced centralised low-carbon power systems across the European Grands Prix. These systems delivered approximately a 90% reduction in energy emissions compared to previous systems.

This reduction gives corporate sponsors real data to support their own environmental goals, turning a standard sponsorship into a genuine reputational asset. 

Electric vehicle technology and circularity

The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is being used as a platform for next-generation electric vehicle technologies. 

The report details the launch of the GEN4 race car, which was designed with recyclable materials and includes at least 20% recycled content.

Formula E reduced emissions by shifting logistics operations from air to sea freight. The championship also implemented sustainability standards across teams and promoters.

Beyond racing, the FIA supports mobility transformation through research, behaviour programmes and electric vehicle adoption initiatives in several countries. 

This highlights a major shift for marketing leaders: environmental responsibility is moving from PR campaigns into actual product design, making it easier to connect with climate-conscious consumers. 

These activities combine electric mobility, infrastructure and public engagement.

"In 2025, we continued to strengthen the frameworks that deliver value to member clubs, colleagues, teams and wider stakeholders every day," says Andrew Fraser, FIA Chair, Sustainability and Diversity & Inclusion Committee. 

"From enabling environmental performance through to increasing participation and strengthening career pathways, the FIA is driving meaningful outcomes across the sectors we serve."

Supply chain transparency and logistics

The report addresses supply chain management and procurement practices as components of environmental accountability. 

In preparation for the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, all sustainable fuels must meet certification requirements covering greenhouse gas performance, origin verification and full supply chain traceability.

The FIA appointed DHL as its Global Logistics Partner in 2025. DHL introduced hydrotreated vegetable oil-powered trucks across the European race calendar.

According to the report, these trucks reduced transport-related emissions by an average of 83% compared to conventional diesel. 

The changes demonstrate how procurement decisions can influence operational sustainability while maintaining efficiency for global events.

"At the FIA, our mission extends beyond motor sport," says Alessandra Malhamé, FIA Senior Director People, Workplace and D&I. "We are committed to fostering diversity, inclusion and accessibility across our work."

"As we strengthen our approach, the focus is not only on expanding initiatives, but on delivering lasting, measurable impact. Ensuring talent can emerge from the widest possible pool is essential to the future of both motor sport and mobility."

Supplier selection, carbon reduction plans and sustainable infrastructure are now integrated into the FIA World Championships Roadmap. This ensures sustainability expectations extend throughout the value chain.

Digital tools and manufacturing processes

The FIA expanded its partnership with Siemens to integrate digital twin technology and simulation tools into race car design and regulation development. 

These systems allow engineers to test aerodynamic performance, material choices and component efficiency in virtual environments.

This approach reduces the need for physical prototypes and could lower environmental impacts associated with testing. "Motor sport and mobility have a critical role to play in shaping a more sustainable future," says Willem Groenewald, FIA Secretary General Mobility, Sustainability and Tourism.

"In 2025, the FIA strengthened the frameworks, standards and tools that help Member Clubs, championships and events turn environmental ambition into measurable action across the global motor sport and mobility ecosystem."

The FIA collaborated with McLaren Racing and Deloitte to create the F1 Constructor's Circularity Handbook. This provides teams with a method for measuring material circularity in manufacturing.

The framework helps organisations reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and increase material reuse across vehicle production. By embedding circular economy principles into engineering processes, the FIA is encouraging industrial practices that could extend beyond motor sport into the automotive sector.