Mercedes F1: Driving Scope 3 Reductions in Supply Chains

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has made a significant move in sustainability through a substantial expansion of its global carbon removals portfolio. The multi-year initiative could position the team at the forefront of high-integrity climate solutions, combining practical action with system-wide impact.

By aligning projects with its race calendar and investing in both nature-based and technological removals, the team could be delivering meaningful environmental benefits to communities and ecosystems across the globe.

The team's expanded portfolio now includes seven new projects across six cutting-edge carbon removal technologies. These include direct air capture, biochar, biomass storage, carbon capture and storage, ocean alkalinity enhancement and enhanced rock weathering.

Combined with existing initiatives, the portfolio targets approximately 18,900 tCO₂e in removals to help achieve Race Team Control Net Zero by 2030, according to the team. Projects are strategically located in Brazil, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark and India, ensuring that climate impact could be delivered where the team races and operates.

CUR8, a leading carbon removal marketplace, rigorously assesses and verifies all projects, ensuring durability, transparency and best practice methodology. Partners such as Frontier, Ecometric and Chestnut Carbon further support innovative and scalable solutions.

Prioritising emissions reductions

The team's net zero journey is defined by practical problem solving, cutting emissions where control is greatest while pushing for systemic change in harder-to-abate areas like aviation.

"Emissions reduction remains our priority and high-quality carbon removals are essential for tackling the residual emissions that remain," says Alice Ashpitel, Head of Sustainability at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.

"By investing early across a diverse set of technologies and regions, we are contributing to upscaling durable climate solutions while supporting the communities and environments in which we race," Alice adds.

"As a team, we are determined to engineer change on and off the track, so I'm proud to see our ambitious portfolio aiming to deliver meaningful impact far beyond our world."

Emissions reporting is structured around two footprints: Race Team Control emissions, which covers Scopes 1, 2 and partial Scope 3 emissions, and Total emissions, which encompasses full Scope 1, 2 and 3 across the value chain. The team is aiming to meet net zero goals by 2030, hoping to achieve a 75% reduction in directly controlled emissions, with the remainder offset via high-quality carbon removals following the Oxford Offsetting Principles.

By 2040, the team is aiming to achieve net zero across all scopes, addressing the harder to tackle emissions from purchased goods, services and supply chain activities.

Progress on operational emissions

According to the team, Race Team Control emissions were reduced by 35% in 2024 compared to 2022. This was achieved thanks to initiatives including HVO100 biofuel being used for 98% of European logistics.

The team reports an average coverage of 68% for aviation emissions with sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc), saving 9,860 tCO₂e. Continued electrification of company vehicles and smart energy management and gas reduction at the Brackley factory have also contributed to emissions reductions.

Where emissions remain, durable carbon removals, spanning nature-based solutions and advanced technological methods, compensate for residual impact.
Reducing emissions in global logistics is one of the team's biggest challenges. The strategy includes scaling SAF usage, developing next-generation race fuels and promoting biofuels.

The Brackley factory has transitioned away from gas, using heat recovery units and electric solutions. More than 200 team members now regularly commute through lift share, logging nearly 5,000 shared journeys in 2024, according to the team.

Company car fuel consumption has been reduced by 26% through a gradual transition to EVs, the team reports.

Engaging the supply chain

Addressing Scope 3 emissions from suppliers is critical. In 2024, the team hosted its first supplier sustainability event for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The team explored recycled and bio-based material opportunities, introduced a new Supplier Code of Conduct and launched a screening tool to flag potential risks across the supply chain. The team's collaborative approach extends across motorsport, with active participation in the F1 ESG Working Group and engagement through its Supply Chain Sustainability Working Group.

Knowledge sharing and partnerships with Logistics and Operations Partners such as Signify, UBS, Nasdaq, Meta AI and Microsoft are helping accelerate climate solutions beyond Formula One.

By combining carbon removals, sustainable fuels, supply chain optimisation and supplier engagement, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team could be demonstrating that high-performance racing and sustainability can advance together.

The team's integrated approach is designed not only to meet internal targets but also to scale solutions across the sport and the wider industry, accelerating progress toward global climate goals.