This is going to be the fifth edition in which Circuit de Barcelona, through its Green Meeting Point platform, organises KISS Barcelona; a commitment to sustainability and to raise awareness about the environment, promoted by the International Motorcycling Federation -Ride Green- with the collaboration of DORNA, IRTA and UNEP, by means of a wide range of initiatives and activities organised during the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP™. The Circuit continues to show its clear commitment to 3C Management: “Conscience, Commitment and Coherence”, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of the facilities and to reduce the CO2 footprint. Good proof of it is the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the achievement of the Environmental Management Certificate according to ISO 14001.
This year KISS Barcelona will have the great support by Marc Márquez, FIM Ride Green Environmental Ambassador. The World Champion will take part in the creation of a wall-paint with the topic “The Circuit’s Commitment to Sustainability” which will mark the inauguration of the 2018 edition, joined by a group of children. The opening event of KISS Barcelona 2018 will take place on Thursday from 14.00 to 18.00h, and it will be one of the most special moments, as it will be carried out next to the Paddock roundabout, the place in which Márquez and a group of children -Climate Justice Ambassadors- planted a hackberry, a typical tree of the territory, last year.
The recently 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 and encouraging to reject whatever cannot be reused. In line with this, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will be selling reusable glasses in all catering points run by Aramark.
As every year, the KISS Barcelona stand will be in charge of raising awareness among spectators. It will be located behind Grandstand G, next to the former heliport, during the weekend. It will also be the distribution point of the ECOALF bags, made of recycled plastic from bottles picked up in the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to the company SIRSA and while supplies last, spectators will have the chance to come and get one.
Other measures to reduce the impact, such as offering 0Km gastronomy to avoid long food transports and reduce CO2 emissions, will also be included. 0Km gastronomy will be promoted throughout the weekend in the GP Village, where they will be using biodegradable cutlery, plates and glasses to reduce the use of single-use plastic.
The CO2 emissions will be reduced thanks to a large variety of proposals for sustainable mobility. As regards public transport, RENFE will offer a special schedule and 22,000 additional seats; and 40% of the buses used by the company Sagalés will be hybrid vehicles. For individuals, the use of electric vehicles is an option to come out to watch the Grand Prix. The Circuit has recharging facilities available for electric car users.
Children will have 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 (behind the Main Grandstand) there will be creative workshops for the youngest, focussed on plastic.
The Catalan track will also promote a photography contest in social media, encouraging fans to link the Catalan Grand Prix with the environment, using the hashtag #KISSBarcelona in Twitter and Instagram, or uploading a picture on the Circuit’s Facebook wall. The prize will be a hospitality pass for the 2019 MotoGP Grand Prix.
The KISS Barcelona area will obviously be filled with party and fun too. On Sunday there will be the musical performance by kettledrum players and the exhibition of ‘castellers’ building a human tower. The tower will show a flag on its top that will commemorate the World Environment Day.
Making use of the large attendance figures of this sports event, the Circuit will have a campaign to collect excess of food (not used), in order to fight against food waste. The food excess will be donated to a local foundation, El Xiprer, which is a centre that attends people in need.
KISS Barcelona will be closed on Monday, 18 June. Marc Márquez will receive at the Circuit the winners of the FIM Ride Green drawing contest from two schools in Montmeló that took part in the contest this year.
