The move opens a new chapter in the 20-year partnership between DHL and Formula 1, in which DHL is helping the sport to become carbon neutral by 2030. Until the Singapore Grand Prix in September this year, around 20 percent of freight flights for Formula 1 races outside Europe used DHL's GoGreen Plus service with sustainable aviation fuel. "Our long-standing partnership with Formula 1 is based on a shared passion for innovation and excellence," says Paul Fowler, Head of DHL Motorsports Logistics. "With our expertise, we support Formula 1 in transporting race cars and other equipment internationally as efficiently as possible. With 40 years of experience in motorsport logistics, we are focused on finding solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make motorsport more sustainable every step of the way."

Sustainability in cooperation

The use of SAF is a new chapter in DHL and Formula 1's commitment to more sustainable logistics. This season, for example, DHL has more than doubled its fleet of biofuel-powered trucks to 37 vehicles for the European leg of the Formula 1 season. These trucks reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 83 percent compared to their diesel-powered counterparts. DHL also uses Boeing 777 aircraft, whose fuel-efficient technology reduces greenhouse gas emissions by around 17 percent compared to conventional aircraft. In addition, Formula 1 is making efforts to optimize race sequencing, reduce equipment transport and establish regional hubs so that freight is transported over shorter distances.

In addition, DHL and Formula 1 are exploring further solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in motorsport. "Formula 1 has always been at the forefront of innovation," says Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1. "Our early investment in sustainable aviation fuel demonstrates our commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. SAF is just the latest step. Alternative fuels can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions both on and off the racetrack. The implementation of our sustainability strategy in our sport is only possible through coordinated measures."

Air traffic with lower greenhouse gas emissions

SAF is produced from renewable sources such as used cooking oil and is an important means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in air transportation. The purchase and transfer of SAF for Formula 1 logistics takes place via the "book and claim" system: it enables the decoupling of specific environmental attributes, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, from physical products so that these environmental attributes can be transferred to another actor by means of a register. Buyers and sellers can participate in the system without being directly involved in the physical supply chain of the fuel. When purchasing, buyers "book" a certain amount of sustainable fuel and "claim" the corresponding emission reductions with regard to their sustainability goals. In other words, they acquire environmental benefits without physically owning the sustainable fuel. When implemented across the industry, the book-and-claim system makes it possible to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector.

Sustainability verification according to strict criteria

DHL has received certification from the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) for the procurement of SAF for Formula 1 air freight logistics. The seal of approval guarantees that the fuel is produced in accordance with strict sustainability criteria. In a holistic approach, the ISCC also supports transparent, sustainable and deforestation-free processes throughout the entire supply chain. The GoGreen Plus service was introduced by DHL Global Forwarding in 2022. It uses the book-and-claim system for the use of sustainable fuels in air and sea freight. GoGreen Plus is an important step in DHL Group's journey to further develop its product offering in line with science-based decarbonization targets for 2030.