Mahindra Racing certified Three-Star in sustainability by FIA
Mahindra Racing has announced it is the first ever Formula E team to receive the highest sustainability accolade by the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), motorsport’s governing body.
The FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme has introduced a clear and consistent environmental management system, providing stakeholders a three-level framework against which to accredit their activities. And after initially achieving Two-Star Accreditation in November 2016 (reconfirmed after an audit in December 2018), the Mahindra Racing Formula E team has now achieved Excellence in the accreditation process.
Three-Star Accreditation translates as Best Practice. By awarding Mahindra Racing with the accolade, the FIA recognises it as the first OEM to commit to the world’s first all-electric racing championship, demonstrating best practice and commitment to seek continual improvement through the implementation of an environmental management system. Mahindra Racing is only the second motorsport team in the world to receive Three-Star, in addition to McLaren Racing Formula 1 Team.
The team’s news comes just days after Formula E, which becomes a World Championship for the first time in the upcoming season, announced it has become the first sport to achieve a net zero carbon footprint dating back to inception. This announcement from the sport was also key to Mahindra Racing, as it means the team has a net zero carbon footprint on all race and test events, including freight, travel, event operations and race car production.
Mahindra Racing’s efforts are in tandem with Mahindra Group’s commitment and quest to achieve group-wide carbon neutrality. Under the aegis of the Mahindra Hariyali (‘greenery’ in Hindi) initiative, the Group aims to increase the green cover by plant 1 million trees every year as well as providing livelihood and nutritional security, and currently stands at 18 million trees over the last 13 years.
Further, Mahindra’s sustainability framework has already helped it achieve a ‘water positive’ status, with the aim of becoming a carbon neutral group by 2040. The Group owns 14 Zero-Waste-to-Landfill (certified by Intertek) facilities, where it was able to recycle, reuse and compost over 1,40,000 tonnes of waste in 2018 alone.
Speaking on the landmark occasion, Dilbagh Gill, Team Principal, Mahindra Racing, said, “Sustainability is not a buzz word for us. It is ingrained into our ethos and a big part of the reason we are racing in Formula E; working to develop and promote cutting-edge EV technology and promote the ‘race to road’ programme to improve the next generation of consumer electric vehicles. Our parent company Mahindra Group is a pioneer in the development of electric vehicles. Formula E is an integral part of Mahindra’s vision to develop advanced yet affordable EV products. Over the six years of the Formula E project to date, we have been working tirelessly not only on our racing programme and race to road, but on walking the walk, in terms of our sustainability talk. I could not be prouder of the team for the hard work and dedication, which has now resulted in this historic moment of receiving Three-Star accreditation from the FIA. 2020 has been incredibly tough and, for me, it is a special moment to be able to take a huge positive from the most challenging of situations.”
Adding to the Mahindra Racing team principal’s words, Jean Todt, FIA President said, “As sustainable and responsible motor sport is a priority for the FIA, I am pleased that Mahindra Racing has achieved this milestone. Energy efficiency is in the DNA of the FIA and Formula E and this new step forward is another proof of our commitment to environmental best practice. I now urge the other teams to walk in the footsteps of Mahindra Racing.”
