DECEMBER 5, 2011

McLaren becomes carbon neutral

McLaren has announced that it is the first F1 team to become carbon neutral, with new investments in two carbon offsetting projects.

McLaren has announced that it is the first F1 team to become carbon neutral, with new investments in two carbon offsetting projects.

Last December the team - following a three-year audit - achieved the Carbon Trust Standard, and recently has been recognised by the British government's Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, ranking 92nd overall in British business.

In order to become fully carbon neutral the team has announced that it has invested in two carbon offsetting programmes - hydro-electric programs in India and Brazil.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said, "I'm both delighted and proud that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has become the world's first carbon-neutral Formula 1 team. It's a considerable achievement: the result of a lot of hard work by a number of extremely dedicated individuals within our organisation, and a testament to our philosophy of continuous improvement within the workplace."

"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes was also the first Formula 1 team to achieve the Carbon Trust Standard for our efforts in improving carbon efficiency."

"Today's announcement is the strongest possible proof that we've gone farther than any other Formula 1 team in becoming more environmentally sympathetic and efficient - an achievement that's of great importance not only to our entire organisation but also to all our partners too."