our
actions
Formula 1 is committed to implementing solutions to reduce its environmental impact and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
These efforts help promote more sustainable practices in motorsport and raise awareness of the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the context of climate change.
Our CErtifications
- Integrated with Bell’s ISO-14 001 certification
- This certification attests of exemplary management of environmental issues in event organization.
- FIA 3-star certification
- This international recognition, the highest distinction awarded by the FIA for sustainable development, underlines Octane’s rigorous commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, promoting responsible practices and achieving the highest standards of sustainability in motorsport.
Clean Energy and Air Pollution
- Carbon footprint reduction through green electricity.
- Offset unavoidable emissions that remain on or off-site and on-site renewables.
On location and Year-round –
- Hydro electricity powers all permanent buildings and the Fan Zone.
- All scooters and most vehicles used by marshals and other staff are electric.
- The pit building including the garages is lit by LEDs inside and out.
- Replacement of a diesel generator with an electric one, saving 26,730 kg of CO2 equivalent during the 2024 Grand Prix.
- Starting in 2026, the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix will be held in May, reducing our total CO2 emissions by almost 2,719 tonnes. This is equivalent to the energy required to power 15 editions of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
- Since 2022, we have been accounting for Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHGs.
Circuit Greening and Fan Wellness
- Focusing on fan wellness at track.
On location –
- Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is located on Île Notre-Dame in the heart of Parc Jean-Drapeau.
- A green terrace accessible to Paddock Club clients is located on the roof of the garage complex.
- Various terraces are set up on the site, allowing spectators to relax while enjoying the event.
- As a promoter using the Parc Jean-Drapeau site, we contribute to the Oxygen Fund, which aims to counter the emissions created during the presentation of our event.
- Vegan and vegetarian options are offered at food concessions to reduce the ecological footprint and satisfy a greater number of spectators.
- Concessions are encouraged to propose local products.
- Relocation of groundhogs during the event to ensure their protection.
- Implementation of a communication plan to raise spectators’ awareness of the need to protect the Park’s biodiversity.
Cleaner fan travel to the event
- Actively support cleaner routes for fans to reach the race.
On location –
- 95% of our spectators travel to the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix by public or active transport. Bike, walk, take the metro, bus or shuttle: there are plenty of options!
Year-round –
- Promoter offices are accessible by public transit.
Residual materials Reduction and Recycling
- Residual materials management.
- Use of sustainable materials for concessions and catering.
- Food donations or food conversion into energy.
On location –
- Each year, a team of nearly 150 people is responsible for managing the residual materials generated during the event (garbage, recycling, composting).
- 50 water refill stations are available throughout the site, so you can refill your reusable bottles.
- New this year (2025): over 100,000 infinitely recyclable aluminum glasses are used during the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
- We ask our food concession managers to compost organic waste, recycle recyclable materials, reduce water consumption and waste production. 100% of containers offered by concessions are compostable.
- This year, as part of our objective to increase our recovery rate (rate of materials diverted from landfill), we have set up 4 sorting stations on site. At these stations, our teams are responsible for sorting your waste.
- Since the 2023 edition, the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix has been able to count on a green squad made up of some thirty volunteers. Their role: to raise spectators’ awareness of sustainable development initiatives and support them in their sorting efforts. Present in the field, these volunteers will this year also be mobilized at the sorting stations to provide clear information and encourage optimum management of residual materials.
- A deposit system will be deployed throughout the site. The aim of this measure is to encourage the recovery and recycling of returnable containers.
- In 2024, we collected food waste with the Tablée des Chefs. This collection enabled us to recover 11,369.2 kg of food, the equivalent of 37,897 portions that were redistributed.
- Since March 2023, the use of single-use plastic has been banned on the territory of Montreal.
- In 2019, we created a digital version of the official program to give fans access to editorial content online, thus reducing its ecological footprint.
- Since 2015, business boxes have completely eliminated single-use plastic. Since 2023, no single-use plastic packaging or utensils are distributed by our dealers.
On location and Year-round –
- Deposit bins are made available to employees for collecting cans.
- Since the 2022 edition, tickets for the event are only available in electronic version.
Local Community engagement
On location –
- All employees hired are Montrealers, Quebecers or Canadians;
- Through a number of initiatives, we offer local universities privileged access to the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. Whether it’s an exhibition of their university engineering competition vehicles, meetings with drivers or visits to the paddocks, our aim is to support and inspire the next generation of students.
- Some local community organizations benefit from the surplus food from the event, such as Le Chaînon and L’Abri d’Espoir which shelter and support women in difficulty as well as Provisions communautaires and Banque Alimentaire Chapi Chapo which help families and children in need. In addition, organizations that help people experiencing homelessness such as L’Abri de La Rive-Sud, Old Brewery Mission and Welcome Hall Mission also benefit from the surplus food.
Year-round –
- All employees hired are Montrealers, Quebecers or Canadians.
- Octane Racing Group is involved with organizations that fight sexual exploitation.
- Employees are encouraged to support causes close to their hearts.
- We sincerely believe that our involvement with universities is beneficial. Whether through the hiring of interns, participation in networking events or as panelists.
