FIA sets sustainability benchmark for World Rally Championships

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) will ensure that all events in the World Rally Championship (WRC) meet a minimum standard of environmental performance. All events at the WRC will have to achieve accreditation in the FIA Institute Sustainability Programme by the end of the 2016 season. The scheme runs in conjuction with the FIA Action for Environment campaign.

The FIA Institute Sustainability Programme offers three levels of accreditation: Commitment to Excellence (basic practice), Progress towards Excellence (good practice) and Achievement of Excellence (best practice). To reach the second level or above, events will be audited by the FIA Institute and must demonstrate a range of sustainability policies and initiatives, such as a clear commitment to environmental management and measurement of key environmental impacts.

As part of this process, the FIA Institute provides assistance and guidance for stakeholders to create clear and consistent management procedures to improve their environmental credentials.

Garry Connelly, FIA Institute Deputy President and FIA Environmental Delegate, said: “We now have a major global sporting championship with events conducted in all corners of the world where sustainability of the environment has been incorporated into the sporting regulations. Rallying takes the action out into the world’s natural environment, so this is an extremely responsible move by the FIA, the WRC promoter and the individual event organisers, in making this commitment.”

Of the 14 events on the 2016 WRC calendar, Rally Sweden, Rally Australia and Rally Finland are currently accredited in the FIA Institute’s Sustainability Programme. Rally Mexico, taking place this weekend, is in the process of putting in place sustainability measures to achieve the required standard.

Motor sport is one of the leading sporting disciplines to develop a structured accreditation programme for sustainability.

Glenn Olsson, CEO of Rally Sweden, which achieved the top level of accreditation in 2014, said: “We have enjoyed working with the FIA Institute as part of the Sustainability Programme and have appreciated their assistance in improving our environmental protocols. This new aspect of the Programme will mean all of our fellow WRC organisers will be working together to boost sustainability throughout the sport.”

Application forms for WRC organisers to join the FIA Institute’s Sustainability Programme can be found here.