Racing takes a new direction with carbon neutral deal

Wednesday 01 March 2023

The 2023 Comprop Guernsey Rally is believed to have been the first carbon neutral motorsport event held in the island, paving the way for other races, and other events, to follow.

The organisers aimed to offset 9000kg of CO2e which would have been created by the competing cars, through working with an organisation called Carbon Positive Motorsport which offers a number of different ways to offset carbon used during motorsports events.

One way that can be done is through offsetting the petrol used by all competitors.

Carbon Positive Motorsport charges .22p per litre of petrol used which is then used to buy carbon offsets benefiting a number of different projects across the UK.

One example given is a 92-hectare native woodland restoration project south of Loch Ness and near the Great Glen in Scotland, which will one day be home to 100,000 trees, achieving 20,092 tCO2e in offsetting.  

The carbon offset units are verified and administered through the UK's only approved carbon trading registry and the details are published via the 'carbonpositivemotorsport' website.

Pictured: Any carbon neutral motorsport events using the Carbon Positive Motorsports offsetting purchases are listed on its website.

The 2023 Guernsey Rally attracted criticism before and during the event, with some opposers saying motorsports go against an image which Guernsey should be cultivating of an environmentally friendly island.

The organisers said they are "well aware of the environmental impact which rallying has on the environment" and that they had "brought onboard Carbon Positive Motorsport in order to highlight and build awareness of the importance of offsetting their own carbon footprint".

Caren Vidamour told Express that this was "well received by all competitors".

She said other forms of pollution such as noise disturbances were also accounted for prior to the races being staged, along with safety considerations.

"All competitive cars have to pass a noise test as well as a number of safety checks prior to the Comprop Guernsey Rally taking place," she said. "If a car obtains any damage during the event, the vehicle will be re-checked to ensure it meets the required safety levels. These checks are in place to ensure the safety of the competitors as well as the public and volunteers."

Pictured: Local and visiting drivers took part in the '23 Guernsey Rally. Image courtesy of Comprop/Nick Despres.

Ms Vidamour had told Carbon Positive Motorsport that: "The 2023 Comprop Guernsey Rally has without doubt been our most challenging yet for one reason or another. We are very thankful to the many people who give up their time to help with the event to help assist with official roles and ensure the event is safe, enjoyed and runs as it should. We are also grateful to the many local authorities who we consult with during the organising of the event, ensuring everything is covered.

"We also thank many of the residents for their support and understanding with road closures and any short-term inconvenience. It goes without saying that without our sponsors there would be no rally, and we are forever grateful for their continued interest and support."

Paul Glass, Founder of Carbon Positive Motorsport added: "The sheer effort of the organising team this year has been incredible. We have been delighted to support the event to mitigate its carbon footprint, and in doing so help the event organisers to promote a positive environmental message to the community whom the event relies upon so much. 

"Spectators and competitors travelling for the event can take advantages of a special discount code to further offset their fuel consumption related carbon emissions using the discount code CPMGR2023."

Pictured top: Rally image courtesy of Comprop/Nick Despres.