In 2008, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya received the certification stating that the environmental management system of the racetrack complies with all the requirements of the ISO 14001-2004 standard for the activities of event organization and facility leasing. After receiving this certification, the Circuit became the only circuit worldwide to be certified according to this standard. In 2017, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya achieved the ISO 14001 certificate with the new 2015 version.
With this certification, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya committed itself to a continuous improvement of the environmental behaviour of the company, recognising their responsibility with the environment and setting themselves as main aim to progressively and continuously reduce the negative effects on the environment and on the well-being of people to minimum levels.
With the aim of protecting the environment, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya works in order to minimise the consumption of resources and the generation of waste, promoting the use of recycling materials, renewable energy sources and the valuation of waste; collaborating with suppliers and contractors to improve the respect and protection of the environment; promoting staff communication and education in order to guarantee a correct environmental behaviour and raising the awareness of the public and all parties involved in the protection of the environment.
Below is a list of some of the actions and improvements introduced at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in recent years:
- Green point for the selective collection of waste, promoting their valuation
- TESLA recharging point for electric vehicles
- Electric vehicle fleet of the Circuit – Nissan
- Electric supply with 100% renewable origin – Estabanell
- Planting of the Universia-Santander woods with 300 trees.
- KM 0 offer in catering and STOP FOOD WASTE campaign among spectators
- Donation of food excess at races and events – El Xiprer Foundation
- Promotion of sustainable mobility at Grands Prix. Sagalés, Renfe, electric car, car-sharing, coming by bicycle
- Sustainability criteria to hire suppliers
- Yearly quantification of all environmental impacts by means of objective traceable indicators, to promote continuous improvement based on these data.
The commitment of Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and all actions that have been carried out, with a pioneering environmental involvement in the world of motor sports and racetracks, has born fruit in recent years, with recognitions by the International Motorsport Federation (FIA), the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) and the Royal Spanish Motorsport Federation (RFEdeA):
“Three-Star level” by the FIA Institute
In 2015, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya became the first Formula One racetrack to achieve the “Three-Star level” which is awarded by the sustainability programme of the FIA Institute. The Environmental Accreditation Scheme of the FIA Institute is a programme focussed on the improvement of sustainability in motor sports worldwide, and provides a working framework in terms of environmental management in different groups of interest, offering initiatives to evolve in environmental actions.
FIM Environment Award
The International Motorcycling Federation awarded the Circuit twice. In 2012, the Circuit was recognised for the project “Green Meeting Point”, which was developed in that year with the aim of turning the Circuit into an environment-friendly facility and a benchmark venue to carry out actions to minimise the environmental and territorial impact of mobility. With the “Green Meeting Point”, the Circuit was host to the Electric Route, the E-Days (Conference on the electric vehicle and its alternatives), Bicircuit or the ECOseries, among other events. The Circuit has also promoted the use of public transport and the optimization of the use of private cars among the attendants to the Grands Prix and other races held during the season.
In 2016 the FIM awarded the Circuit for the second time for the programme KISS Barcelona 2016 (Keep It Shiny & Sustainable), which was carried out during the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP™ Within the framework of the 2016 programme, which coincided with the celebration of the World Environment Day (WED) and counted on the presence of the UNEP, the Circuit organised several activities, initiatives and awareness raising campaigns during the Grand Prix, which were committed to the COP21 agreements, the highlights being the actions to promote a sustainable mobility (train, bus, bicycle) and Zero Residues with the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle), including the distribution of reusable bags and cups, raising awareness about the waste of food by means of the Stop Food Waste campaign and valuing the generated waste. All of these actions were accompanied by animations inspired in environmental topics, displayed in the spectator areas, a Km.0 gastronomy offer in the new Tapas GP area and a contest in social media in order to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the environment. The popular drawing contest was held again, this time with children from a school of Barcelona, which also counted on the collaboration of the rider Marc Márquez, environmental ambassador of the FIM. The results of KISS Barcelona 2016 were very positive: around 4,000 KISS Barcelona bags and 6,000 reusable cups were distributed at the Circuit and almost 1,000 kg food were donated.
KISS Barcelona 2017, in addition to including the initiatives from 2016, was dedicate to the 25th Anniversary of FIM Ride Green. The action carried out by the Circuit in relation with this year’s UNEP motto “I am Nature” was planting a tree. Marc Márquez, FIM Environmental Ambassador, planted a hackberry at the entrance of the paddock with the help of children who are Climate Change Ambassadors of the organisation Plant-for-the-Planet.
For the sixth consecutive year, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, turned to join the environmental initiative of FIM known as KISS Barcelona 2018 (Keep it Shiny & Sustainable).
Celebrated World Environment Day (WED) was dedicated this year to the motto “Beat Plastic Pollution” with the aim of raising awareness among the population to avoid polluting the oceans with plastic.
In 2018, the Circuit has the great support by Marc Márquez, FIM Ride Green Environmental Ambassador, taking part in the creation of a wall-paint with the topic “The Circuit’s Commitment to Sustainability”. The event was next to the Paddock roundabout, the place in which Márquez and a group of children -Climate Justice Ambassadors- planted a hackberry.
Children had their special place within the KISS Barcelona 2018 framework as well. Raising awareness from young ages is key for a future responsible and environment-friendly behaviour. In the Family Village there was creative workshops for the youngest, focussed on plastic.
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya continues showing its strong commitment to the 3C Management of CirCuitCat; “Consciousness, Commitment and Coherence” with sustainability, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of the facilities and reducing the CO2 footprint as well, in order to become the first racetrack in the world with a zero footprint.
Environmental Sustainability Award by the RFEdeA
In 2017, the Royal Spanish Motorsport Federation (RFEdeA) awarded Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with the Environmental Sustainability Award, recognising the commitment of the racetrack to the environment and its continuous innovation efforts to raise the awareness of society about the respect towards the natural environment.
