MAHINDRA RACING SETS SUSTAINABILITY BENCHMARK FOR FORMULA E TEAMS
11 November 2016, Marrakesh: Mahindra Racing has become the first Formula E team to achieve accreditation in the FIA Institute’s Sustainability Programme.
The team has attained ‘Progress Towards Excellence’ status from its first audit within the programme’s framework, which is aimed at helping motorsport stakeholders worldwide to measure and enhance their environmental performance.
This achievement is particularly significant as it coincides with the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP22) in Morocco. This weekend’s Marrakesh ePrix aims to further highlight environmental sustainability through vehicle technology development in the world’s first fully electric global racing series.
With a clear aim to become carbon neutral from 2018, Mahindra Racing is just the second motorsport team in the world to be accredited.
Auditors were impressed by Mahindra Racing’s commitment to minimising its environmental impact through a strong environmental policy and specific improvement targets. The team has been encouraged to monitor and implement the current routines in an efficient manner to help attain the highest level of accreditation, Achievement of Excellence. Based on its recent assessment, auditors are confident the team could achieve this objective.
Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group said, “We were drawn to Formula E by its commitment to the development of sustainable and clean mobility solutions, and are honoured to become the very first Formula E team to be accredited by the FIA Institute’s Sustainability Programme. This is another example of the Mahindra Group’s deep and growing commitment to sustainability across its businesses, and an important milestone in our journey toward the Future of Mobility.”
Garry Connelly, FIA Institute Deputy President and Environmental Ambassador said, “As the first Formula E team to become accredited in the initiative, I congratulate Mahindra for its efforts and commitment to sustainability. As ever when it comes to the environment there is always more that we can do and I encourage the other teams in the all-electric series to follow the example set by Mahindra and sign up to join the programme.”
Dilbagh Gill, Team Principal, Mahindra Racing Formula E Team said, “This is something that we genuinely believe in at Mahindra. Environmental sustainability requires a good system of practices and it is part of the ethos in our wider organisation. As Mahindra Racing, the youngest arm of the Mahindra Group, we look forward to working towards attaining the top level of Sustainability Accreditation and further underlining our position as one of the most progressive Formula E teams.”
A full list of existing organisations that have been recognised by the FIA Institute against its best practice framework can be found here. Formula E was awarded Achievement of Excellence at the end of 2015 and was the first championship promoter to do so.
Mahindra Racing drivers Nick Heidfeld and Felix Rosenqvist will compete in the Marrakesh ePrix tomorrow, Saturday, 12 November, for race two of the 2016-17 FIA Formula E Championship.
