MotorSport New Zealand named as finalist for FIA Climate Action award

MotorSport New Zealand’s Sustainability Fund has been named as a finalist in the Climate Action category of the FIA President’s Awards for 2023.

Described as “Innovative” by the awards’ judging panel, the MotorSport New Zealand’s Sustainability Fund, established in 2021, aims to deliver environmental projects that will offset the carbon dioxide emissions produced in motorsport.

Event organisers can choose how they contribute to the fund currently, either fully or partially offsetting their emissions and how they charge competitors for this. Plans are being investigated to enable contributions at an individual level across all events so competitors can choose to offset their carbon emissions when entering events, similar to schemes currently run by airlines.

Events such as the Otago Rally have utilised the fund to offset the carbon emissions of their event. The MotorSport New Zealand Sustainability Fund supported the planting of native bush in the Otago region as its contribution for the 2023 Otago Rally event.

“It’s incredible to have our initiative recognised at a global level by the FIA,” said MotorSport New Zealand CEO, Elton Goonan.

“The motorsport community here and around the world has been lucky enough to experience events set against the spectacular backdrop of New Zealand’s pristine landscapes, and it’s only right that we help ensure these continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

“The global perception of transport, particularly cars, is changing with a shift towards minimising emissions and as a sport, we need to support that.”

The winner of the FIA President’s Award for Climate Action will be announced at the FIA General Assemblies meeting on 8 December in Baku, Azerbaijan.