RallyRACC attains the top qualification by the FIA for Sustainability

15/11/2017

- The certificate recognises the quality of the environmental plan implemented in October during the 53 RallyRACC CATALUNYA-COSTA DAURADA

- The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) has awarded the RallyRACC for the design of the itinerary which was approached with environmental criteria, the management of the used resources and the electric vehicles used by the organisation, among other measures.

The RallyRACC has attained Achievement of Excellence against the FIA Environmental Certification Framework, the highest quality award with which this body recognises the commitment to sustainability and certifies the implementation of efficient initiatives to minimise the environmental impact.

The Spanish round of the World Rally Championship underwent an audit by the FIA on 5 and 6 October, during the staging of the 53 RallyRACC CATALUNYA-COSTA DAURADA, and a few days ago, the FIA informed about the positive result of the tests, awarding the highest level certification.

This recognition positions the RallyRACC among the most sustainable rallies in the world and allowed it to achieve a goal towards which they had been working for more than 5 years. During this time, the organisation has been perfectioning an environmental plan that achieved its maximum level of development during the last edition of the rally, the implementation of which involved both the participants of the event and the spectators, all of whom collaborated in a very positive way. The implication of PortAventura World, venue of the Rally Headquarters and the Service Park for the past six years, was also a determining factor. The organisation highlighted that in order to keep this success on a long-term it will be necessary that all those who form part of the rally continue with their commitment in the following editions.

The ambitious environmental plan that was implemented during the 53 RallyRACC is applied from the month before the actual staging, during the design of the itinerary, the management of the resources during the event and the mobility of the members of the organisation. The plan includes systems to reduce and recycle waste, both in the spectator areas and in the service park, the control of water and electricity consumption, analysis of the carbon print, reduction of the use of plastics, use of paper coming from sustainable woods, and priority in contracting with suppliers that have sustainability certificates among other measures. Moreover, the planning of the event does also take environmental criteria into account, so that the itinerary as such is agreed on with the Environmental Department of the Catalan Government, and the route avoids crossing areas with protected species, for example, during their nesting period.

During this edition of the RallyRACC there was also permanent communication with the teams and the public in order to encourage their collaboration, and the members of the organisation used electric motorcycles to move around the venue. Likewise, SEAT provided the event with a fleet of 30 SEAT León TGI (hybrid NCG vehicles that emit almost 25% less). This collaboration implies the firm commitment of the brand and the RACC to share the same culture based on the defence of a mobility that respects the environment, which was of huge help for the achievement of the above-mentioned certification.

In their official communication, the FIA highlighted the examples that were set by the RallyRACC that show the WRC community the road to follow as regards environmental protection.  The senior officials of the sport and the environment at the FIA, Graham Stoker and Garry Connelly, highlight the implemented measures and the rigor of the follow-up plan established by the organisation: "We would like to congratulate the RACC on the good work done. Our auditor was impressed by the intention to appoint a dedicated Environmental Champion and by the strong approach to ensure that environmental regulations are not only put in place for the event and communicated efficiently, but also rigorously enforced".

The audit does also highlight the effort made by the organisation of the RallyRACC, especially as regards the actions in order to name a commission for the preservation of the environment, which was solid and decided, indicating the strong willingness and commitment to improve and to be aligned to the current WRC regulations.