How does Mercedes intend to achieve aviation emissions reduction?

Mercedes has explained how it intends to quadruple its aviation emissions reduction by the end of 2025, confirming its latest investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) certificates.

Aviation accounts for a large percentage of F1 teams’ carbon footprint.

In 2022, Mercedes became the first global sports team to announce a multi-year, multi-million euro commitment to invest in SAF. A year later, the Brackley-based outfit more than doubled its investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Certificates (SAFc) by volume.

As a result, the team was able to reduce its business travel emissions in 2023 by 65%, compared to 29% in 2022.

SAF is a type of biofuel designed to be used in aircraft. It is produced from a range of renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oils, fats, plant oils, municipal, agricultural and forestry waste. Examples of forestry waste include waste wood, and energy crops, such as fast-growing plants and algae.

The Brackley-based outfit has now confirmed that it is expecting to reduce its aviation emissions through SAF certificate purchases by a total of 18,50 tCO2e across 2024 and 2025, with 8,000 tCO2e saved in 2024 and 10,500 tCO2e saved in 2025.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said: “A net reduction in our emissions sits at the heart of our operations and the ambitious sustainability targets we have set ourselves.

“We continue to invest in innovative solutions and technology that will enhance our performance, helping us go further faster.”

Head of Sustainability Alice Ashpitel said: “Our investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel is more than a strategy; we believe it can create a greener future.

“We see SAFc as a game-changer, a way for sports and businesses to make a lasting impact.”

SAF certificates (SAFc) are an accounting instrument that allows the environmental benefits of SAF to be detached from the physical fuel, through a book and claim model.

This allows the physical fuel to be delivered to the nearest airport (reducing the emissions impact of long-distance transport) and the emissions reductions to be claimed by the SAFc buyer.