While the sporting industry average was 51/100 in 2024, Formula E claimed the top spot by five percentage points over Borussia Dortmund soccer tean with a score of 85/100, seeing incremental year-on-year improvements across Environmental, Social and Governance categories.
Analyzing more than 1,700 data points, the study made a comprehensive analysis of 64 organizations from 11 different countries, including sporting organizations such as Formula 1 (54/100), NFL (33/100), NBA (38/100) and FIFA (58/100).
The GSBS assessment drew from 534 organizations, 17 competitions, 46 clubs and one venue worldwide. These were invited to participate in the initial assessment – including motorsport, soccer, tennis, football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, handball, and contact sports – representing the highest levels of Corporate, Environmental, Social and Governance (CESG) activity across professional sports. For the full report, visit GSBS Report.
Julia Pallé, Vice President, Sustainability, Formula E said:
“We’re delighted to be independently ranked as the number one ESG sport on the planet for the third year running. Our dedication to ensuring everything is as sustainable as possible, from how we engage with communities at race locations, continually reducing our carbon footprint, to the make up and diversity of our organization and championship is paying off. But as with previous years, this is a mission without a finish line and we must all continually do our best day in, day out to accelerate sustainable human progress. I’m proud that the reason behind our racing is being recognized, but most importantly, that it is having a true impact and I hope it will inspire the rest of the sports community to follow our commitment.”
Manuel Kohnstamm, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Liberty Global, comments:
“Formula E continues to set the gold standard for sustainability in sport. As an early supporter of Formula E and now majority shareholder, we could not be prouder of the crucial role it plays in showcasing sustainability on a global stage. Not only is Formula E redefining motorsport, but it also sets a powerful example that reaches beyond the sporting arena of how to best build a sustainable future, with people and the planet at its heart.”
Christian Hartmann, CEO, GSBS:
“For the third consecutive year, Formula E has cemented its position as a global leader in sustainability within the sports industry. Under the inspiring leadership of Julia Pallé and her dedicated team, Formula E continues to set the benchmark in modern sustainability management – not just for the sector, but beyond.
“While other organizations are making significant progress to close the gap, Formula E stands out through its ambition, adoption of high-level international standards, robust organizational structure, and most notably, its rigorous execution. Its advanced data structure and uncompromising commitment to excellence have once again secured Formula E the top position in the annual GSBS Rating – the only internationally recognized and respected sustainability rating in the sports industry.”
Formula E to reduce Air Freight Emissions by at least 25%, in partnership with DHL
Formula E has announced it will save at least 25% on freight-related CO2 emissions in season 11. It will reduce the volume and weight it transports via air freight, optimizing sea and road freight efficiencies alongside its Official Founding and Logistics Partner, DHL.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship – the first sport in the world to be certified on a pathway to net zero carbon – has successfully worked with DHL and other key ecosystem partners to optimize Championship freight and will be able to transport all essential equipment to races outside Europe in two cargo planes compared to three previously. This has been achieved by reducing the volume of freight by more than 80 tons and opting to utilize in-market assets and multiple sets of assets it can transport by more environmentally friendly sea freight.
This complex and ambitious initiative will save approximately 5,500 tons of carbon emissions across the 16 race calendar. It represents one of the most impactful steps in reducing the Championship’s emissions since it was formed in 2014 and significantly contributes to its Science Based Targets initiative of reducing the series’ carbon footprint by 45% by 2030, compared to Season 5’s output.
To deliver such an impressive optimization in freight, Formula E’s internal tech and logistics team worked directly with key partners including DHL, TATA Communications, FIA, ABB, EMG / Gravity Media, Timeline TV, Aurora Media Worldwide, Quentor, MRTC, ADI and Al Kamel to forensically audit, reduce and repack the amount of freight transported via aircraft, including finding ways to procure or store lots of their equipment and assets within race markets.
GSBS – the independent sustainability rating organization that specializes in CESG ratings – ranked Formula E with the Best Total Performance, while topping the Environmental, Social and Governance Award categories.
While the sporting industry average was 51/100 in 2024, Formula E claimed the top spot by five percentage points over Borussia Dortmund soccer tean with a score of 85/100, seeing incremental year-on-year improvements across Environmental, Social and Governance categories.
Analyzing more than 1,700 data points, the study made a comprehensive analysis of 64 organizations from 11 different countries, including sporting organizations such as Formula 1 (54/100), NFL (33/100), NBA (38/100) and FIFA (58/100).
The GSBS assessment drew from 534 organizations, 17 competitions, 46 clubs and one venue worldwide. These were invited to participate in the initial assessment – including motorsport, soccer, tennis, football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, handball, and contact sports – representing the highest levels of Corporate, Environmental, Social and Governance (CESG) activity across professional sports. For the full report, visit GSBS Report.
Julia Pallé, Vice President, Sustainability, Formula E said:
“We’re delighted to be independently ranked as the number one ESG sport on the planet for the third year running. Our dedication to ensuring everything is as sustainable as possible, from how we engage with communities at race locations, continually reducing our carbon footprint, to the make up and diversity of our organization and championship is paying off. But as with previous years, this is a mission without a finish line and we must all continually do our best day in, day out to accelerate sustainable human progress. I’m proud that the reason behind our racing is being recognized, but most importantly, that it is having a true impact and I hope it will inspire the rest of the sports community to follow our commitment.”
Manuel Kohnstamm, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Liberty Global, comments:
“Formula E continues to set the gold standard for sustainability in sport. As an early supporter of Formula E and now majority shareholder, we could not be prouder of the crucial role it plays in showcasing sustainability on a global stage. Not only is Formula E redefining motorsport, but it also sets a powerful example that reaches beyond the sporting arena of how to best build a sustainable future, with people and the planet at its heart.”
Christian Hartmann, CEO, GSBS: Formula 1 PR
“For the third consecutive year, Formula E has cemented its position as a global leader in sustainability within the sports industry. Under the inspiring leadership of Julia Pallé and her dedicated team, Formula E continues to set the benchmark in modern sustainability management – not just for the sector, but beyond.
“While other organizations are making significant progress to close the gap, Formula E stands out through its ambition, adoption of high-level international standards, robust organizational structure, and most notably, its rigorous execution. Its advanced data structure and uncompromising commitment to excellence have once again secured Formula E the top position in the annual GSBS Rating – the only internationally recognized and respected sustainability rating in the sports industry.”
Formula E to reduce Air Freight Emissions by at least 25%, in partnership with DHL
Formula E has announced it will save at least 25% on freight-related CO2 emissions in season 11. It will reduce the volume and weight it transports via air freight, optimizing sea and road freight efficiencies alongside its Official Founding and Logistics Partner, DHL.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship – the first sport in the world to be certified on a pathway to net zero carbon – has successfully worked with DHL and other key ecosystem partners to optimize Championship freight and will be able to transport all essential equipment to races outside Europe in two cargo planes compared to three previously. This has been achieved by reducing the volume of freight by more than 80 tons and opting to utilize in-market assets and multiple sets of assets it can transport by more environmentally friendly sea freight.
This complex and ambitious initiative will save approximately 5,500 tons of carbon emissions across the 16 race calendar. It represents one of the most impactful steps in reducing the Championship’s emissions since it was formed in 2014 and significantly contributes to its Science Based Targets initiative of reducing the series’ carbon footprint by 45% by 2030, compared to Season 5’s output.
To deliver such an impressive optimization in freight, Formula E’s internal tech and logistics team worked directly with key partners including DHL, TATA Communications, FIA, ABB, EMG / Gravity Media, Timeline TV, Aurora Media Worldwide, Quentor, MRTC, ADI and Al Kamel to forensically audit, reduce and repack the amount of freight transported via aircraft, including finding ways to procure or store lots of their equipment and assets within race markets.
