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WRC rallies set environmental target

All WRC rounds must reach minimum environmental standards by the end of 2016 as part of new FIA targets.

The 14 events must achieve accreditation in the FIA Institute Sustainability Programme which has three levels. Commitment to Excellence rewards basic practice, Progress towards Excellence supports good practice and best practice earns Achievement of Excellence.

Rallies will be audited by the institute and must demonstrate a range of sustainability initiatives, such as the measurement of key environmental impacts, to reach the second level or above.

The institute provides guidance to rallies to help them improve their environmental credentials and rounds in Sweden, Australia and Finland have already been accredited. Rally Guanajuato Mexico introduced measures to reach the target earlier this month.

Rally Sweden boss Glenn Olsson, whose event achieved the top level in 2014, welcomed the move.

"This new aspect of the programme will mean all of our fellow WRC organisers will be working together to boost sustainability throughout the sport," he said.

Institute deputy president and FIA environmental delegate Garry Connelly highlighted the importance of the programme in the WRC.

"We now have a major global sporting championship with events conducted in all corners of the world where sustainability of the environment has been incorporated into the sporting regulations.

"Rallying takes the action out into the world's natural environment, so this is an extremely responsible move by the FIA, the WRC Promoter and the individual event organisers, in making this commitment," he said.

Zdroj: wrc.com