"Only green thing in F1 is greenwashing" - F1's Net Zero Carbon target leaves fans on Twitter unimpressed

F1 Grand Prix of Brazil - Sprint
Lewis Hamilton driving the (#44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W13 leads a line of cars during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 12, 2022, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Net Zero Carbon target was set by F1 back in 2019. This was done after an extensive report into the sport’s environmental impact discovered that it was responsible for generating 256,000 tons of CO2 emissions during the 2019 season. The net zero carbon target has been under all sorts of skepticism ever since, as fans and experts have questioned it often, with some even labeling it a "marketing ploy".

The net zero carbon target means F1 has to bring greenhouse gas emissions from its race-related activities down to net zero. This means the amount of greenhouse gasses added to the atmosphere is equal to the amount removed from it.

F1 recently shared an update on its targets and goals for the future of motorsport with its fans on various social media handles. These plans, however, have been put under the microscope as fans raised numerous questions and comments on the planned Net Zero Carbon target.

There's plenty of background behind these numbers, however. It was found that most of the carbon emitted during an F1 weekend comes from the same sources as any other popular sport – teams and fans traveling to and from the event. So, F1 has gone out and developed a carbon-neutral fuel that it wants the world revolving around it to run on. The sport plans on using this 100% sustainable fuel in its cars from 2026, helping it achieve its goal of net zero carbon by 2030.

Moreover, the fuel has been designed in such a way that it can be used by most of the near-two billion cars on the planet. The group has also tried to bring down the use of single-use plastic in the circuits, as the use of reusable bottles has been promoted. There is a push to reuse, recycle, or repurpose race weekend materials as well.

Formula 1 fans are a devoted folk, who like to get into the depths of the sport and its functioning, even more so after the Netflix series Drive To Survive was released back in 2019. Modern F1 fans like to gain more and more knowledge about the cars, the fuel that they run on, their tires, as well as their engines, but the harm that the sport can cause to the environment is something that concerns many. Naturally, the target has been questioned by fans and experts alike.

Although the target may seem a little unrealistic, given that each Formula 1 car burns more than 100kg of fuel per race, it will be a feat to achieve.


Fans react to F1's Net Zero Target

F1 fans have reacted in both positive and negative manners to the target set by the sport. According to its survey, 70% of the fans felt that the target was a positive one, while the remaining 30% did not.

As it so happens, many fans on Twitter seemed unimpressed by the group's efforts, with some labeling it 'a marketing ploy' and calling it 'unrealistic'.

There were, however, plenty of fans who came out in support of the targets, as it would be a revolutionary change if the sport accomplishes them. Not just for motorsport, but for the whole world as well. One thing is for sure, the fans have their eyes peeled on the subject now.

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Edited by Anurag C
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