Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Boosts Carbon Removal Efforts

In a significant step toward sustainability, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team has partnered with Chestnut Carbon to restore 200 hectares (approximately 500 acres) of degraded farmland in the Southeastern United States. This ambitious initiative involves planting 260,000 native trees to revive ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to carbon sequestration. As part of the team’s long-term sustainability strategy, this collaboration underscores the importance of nature-based carbon removal to offset unavoidable emissions.

The project is set to remove 5,500 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere between 2027 and 2030. To ensure transparency and credibility, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 has secured high-quality carbon removal credits through Chestnut Carbon, aligning with industry best practices and the Oxford Offsetting Principles. This investment is part of a broader effort to address residual emissions, complementing the team’s ongoing efforts to reduce its overall carbon footprint.

Beyond its climate impact, the initiative delivers tangible ecological and economic benefits. By restoring degraded land, it supports biodiversity, improves air and water quality, and strengthens local economies. The project sources seedlings from regional nurseries and provides job opportunities for local experts engaged in afforestation and ecosystem management. Chestnut Carbon’s Sustainable Restoration Project, which has already planted over 10 million trees, aims to capture more than one million tons of carbon by 2040. The partnership with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 further accelerates these efforts, reinforcing the role of private-sector investment in sustainable environmental restoration.

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 is committed to meeting the highest environmental standards, ensuring that the project aligns with the Gold Standard for Global Goals. This third-party-audited certification guarantees rigorous carbon accounting and long-term impact, setting a benchmark for sustainability initiatives in motorsport and beyond. The investment reflects the team’s holistic approach to tackling climate change, recognizing that emissions reduction alone is not sufficient. Instead, a combination of direct reductions and high-quality removals is necessary to achieve meaningful progress toward net zero.

Toto Wolff, CEO & Team Principal of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1, emphasized the importance of leadership in sustainability. “We are determined to lead by example in sustainability. This collaboration is a crucial step in addressing our residual emissions and reaffirms our commitment to becoming one of the most sustainable global sports teams,” he said. His statement underscores the team’s proactive approach, integrating environmental responsibility into its core operations.

Alice Ashpitel, Head of Sustainability at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative. “Working with Chestnut Carbon enables us to support projects that sequester carbon while benefiting biodiversity and local communities. This investment is key to our broader carbon removal strategy,” she explained. By supporting large-scale restoration efforts, the team aims to contribute meaningfully to global climate goals while creating positive social and environmental impact.

Chestnut Carbon, a leader in sustainable carbon removal solutions, shares a vision of long-term environmental stewardship. Ben Dell, CEO of Chestnut Carbon, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. “We’re proud to partner with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 to deliver high-quality, nature-based carbon removals. Our long-term commitment ensures environmental integrity and community engagement for sustainable impact,” he stated. With decades of expertise in afforestation and land restoration, Chestnut Carbon plays a critical role in ensuring that nature-based solutions remain a reliable and scalable approach to climate mitigation.

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has consistently demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, integrating innovative solutions into its operations. From improving energy efficiency at its facilities to developing more sustainable logistics and supply chain strategies, the team recognizes that comprehensive action is required to reduce its environmental impact. This latest investment in carbon removals represents another step in that journey, reinforcing its dedication to a sustainable future.

As the urgency of climate action grows, initiatives like this set a precedent for how global sports organizations can leverage their influence to drive meaningful environmental change. By investing in large-scale reforestation, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 is not only offsetting its own emissions but also contributing to the broader fight against climate change. The partnership with Chestnut Carbon exemplifies the potential of corporate environmental responsibility, demonstrating that sustainability and high-performance sport can go hand in hand.

With millions of fans worldwide, Formula One serves as a powerful platform for promoting climate action and sustainability. By prioritizing environmental initiatives, teams like Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 help shape industry standards and inspire action beyond the racetrack. Through this collaboration, they reaffirm their commitment to not just winning races, but also driving positive change for the planet.