McLaren Racing has announced a first-of-its-kind sustainability report as the team bids to do its part concerning some of the critical issues the planet faces.

In a press release from the team today, they revealed a full breakdown of its activities and its plans for the future, with the company venturing into Extreme E in 2022 and Formula E in 2023.

From the report, the key takeaways were:

· McLaren Racing aims to halve its carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve Net Zero by 2040

· The team has signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), committing to the SBTi Net-Zero Standard, joining the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign

· The primary focus in 2021 has been to progress trials with Bcomp; reduce single-use plastic trackside; and better understand and reduce the waste generated from the McLaren Technology Centre

· McLaren Racing aims to research the development of a fully circular F1 car, which will also contribute towards the net-zero goals

· 2021 saw the launch of McLaren Racing Engage, a pioneering strategic alliance with the Women’s Engineering Society, EqualEngineers, The Smallpeice Trust and Creative Access that unlocks STEM pathways and breaks down barriers to F1 careers for under-represented groups

· Recruitment changes in 2021 resulted in 33% of job applications in 2021 being from female candidates, 43% of new hires being female and 12% of all 2021 recruits from ethnic minority backgrounds

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing said:

“The time to praise global brands for promoting sustainability as a core value has passed. By now, sustainable principles should be integral to the foundations of every modern organisation and already driving decisions on growth and innovation. I’m proud that with the release of McLaren Racing’s first-ever sustainability report, we are moving beyond awareness and intention and into a new phase of accelerated action and accountability.  

“This report is the product of an organisation-wide effort over many months to gather and analyse data and insights that hold a mirror up to McLaren. It’s not an exercise in self-praise; while there are highlights worth celebrating, our aim is to understand our full range of impacts and chart our progress in the context of a global mission.

"Sustainability doesn’t have a chequered flag. It’s a long journey and we’re working to influence global conversations, partner values and fan activities, while advocating for regulatory change in our industry. The more we push for sustainability within our sport, the greater the opportunity we have to inspire innovations that drive demand for sustainable supply chains and spark positive behavioural change on a global scale.

"I hope we can work together to tread lightly on the planet but boldly on history.” 

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 17: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL36 Mercedes in the Pitlane as dark clouds head towards the circuit during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 17, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Kim Wilson, Director of Sustainability, McLaren Racing, said: 

“Sustainability is a serious topic that requires authentic engagement and collective action. Since joining McLaren in January, my priority has been to develop a report that accurately records our impacts, shows where we are on our sustainability journey and, crucially, lays out a clear picture of the road ahead. It’s not only vital that we detail our own positive strides, but that we’re clear on how we align with industry targets, government regulations and guidance, global frameworks, and of course the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

"If we work together as a sport, we can all win, and I particularly welcome conversations around topics such as net-zero targets, carbon accounting methodologies and race logistics.

"The highlights from our 2021 Sustainability Report give me confidence that McLaren is on the right track, but we must of course accelerate our efforts and build viable, data-driven roadmaps that help us work within a global community of changemakers to tackle the challenges ahead.”