James Roberts
SUSTAINABLE MOTORSPORT
“ Last year we ran our Course Opening Car on sustainable fuel from Coryton and we are working to extend our sustainable fuel use this year , while our sustainable purchasing policy has prompted some lateral thinking – such as using re-usable cable ties and even making some of our trophies out of sustainable bamboo !”
At SMMC , the improvements so far have included rethinking energy sources and eliminating waste streams , and Russell says that in the early stages of their sustainability journey , some of these actions have been surprisingly easy to implement . “ Some things are readily available , you just have to make a commitment to change or adopt them ,” he explains .
“ Our website , for example , is now hosted on a carbon neutral platform and the energy used to run it comes from 100 per cent renewable sources . We also now use electronic membership cards , rather than plastic ones , removing a waste stream and avoiding single use plastics .
“ Where possible , all communication is now done by electronic means and that has reduced paper usage while also bringing the added financial benefit of eliminating postage costs . This has been extremely successful , and we will continue to innovate and migrate paper forms and processes onto electronic means .
“ A recent example of that is vehicle management returns and medical usage documentation , which is now completed electronically after each event then automatically distributed to the fleet and medical support teams . That allows them to action any requirements or replace any medical equipment or consumables that have been used .
“ I would encourage all Clubs to participate in the accreditation because completing the workbook allows you to think about and create a three-year structured environmental plan . It ensures that you consider continuous improvement , and that the environmental sustainability agenda remains at the heart of motorsport .”
Cross advises , however , that while every Club has the capability to do make some form of environmental improvement , most do not have the capacity to do everything on the first day . “ You have to step back and take an overview of your main activities , like a helicopter view ,” he explains .
“ If you use the Motorsport UK process on the Learning Hub and the available resources that are there , you will certainly be guided well . You may have a big list all your environmental impacts , but then you ’ ll start to prioritise them and chose a few to focus on first . Then you ’ re on the way !”
Dibben agrees , and believes that all Clubs should follow this lead , concluding : “ Just take the plunge – it ’ s not as difficult as you might think ! It ’ s a very friendly , supportive , stepby-step process and beyond the benefits that arise for the environment , the reputation effect for your Club will be out of all proportion to the cost in either time or money .”
To discover more about how to become a more sustainable club using the carbon calculator , click HERE
Start your journey towards achieving Sustainability Accreditation HERE
Revolution - March 2025
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