The Environment

Motorsport often seems to find itself at odds with factions presenting themselves as environmentally responsible or "green". This can easily lead to fixed attitudes on both sides. Yet, that does not need to be the case.

Cars undeniably cause toxic emissions - that is a fact. Our roof organization FIA, as the federation of the world´s leading motoring organizations, is actively promoting measures to reduce those emissions.

Motoring puts a burden on the environment in two ways: through actual pollution and also through greenhouse gas emissions and noise. Substantial progress has been made in controlling automotive toxic emissions. At this time, the real challenge here is in enhancing the availability of the relevant technologies and, above all, in exporting them to the world´s developing countries.

International motor sport regulations are being developed in such a way that they can help minimize the sport´s negative effect on the environment. The rules can be shaped to encourage innovative, environmentally friendly technologies. We want to make sure that future investment in the sport will develop technology that directly benefits the general public.

As a result, car manufacturers will throw vast sums of money and an army of their best engineers into the development of energy recovery and recycling technologies, which are going to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions of mass-produced cars as well as save fuel. Motor sport is also looking at the possibilities of replacing fossil fuels with alternative sources of energy, such as biogas.

The FIA World Rally Championship is, for the time being, keeping an eye on development of fuels used in civilian traffic. Biofuels are on their way, but we´re waiting for second generation products, which can be manufactured from waste, for example. This is to avoid using ingredients that can also be exploited for nutrition.

Apart from bringing strides in technology, we believe the sport of rally driving can also enhance a "greener" traffic environment in another way. It is possible to influence consumers´ attitudes through it. When eco-friendly technologies are exploited in winning rally cars, they get accepted by car buyers and quickly become more commonplace in everyday traffic.

Neste Oil Rally Finland organizer AKK Sports Ltd wishes to bear its responsibility of the environment in a most effective way. We want to make sure that our event causes minimal harm to the society and environment. The company also puts focus on pursuing a more eco-friendly all-round approach by awakening consciousness of environmental issues in rally fans and all other factions involved.

We furthermore

- obey all laws and bylaws
- educate our own organization and volunteers in environmental issues
- pursue options for better use of energy and eco-friendly solutions
- focus on minimizing the amount of waste from the event and looking after its recycling, both in the special stages and in the service park
- favour eco-friendly materials when building up the event
- strive to minimize the use of private cars in our event by increasing public transport
- fill the cars used by our organization with the best eco-friendly fuel available
- demand eco-friendly solutions from our suppliers
- commit to decrease the number of prints and photocopies in the media centre