UAE Team Emirates announce plan to go net-zero by 2030 at COP28
CEO Mauro Gianetti says team offset a 2022 footprint of almost 225 tonnes of CO2
UAE Team Emirates announced their plans to go net-zero by 2030 at the COP28 (United Nations Climate Change Conference) in the UAE today.
CEO and team principal Mauro Gianetti presented the team's plans while claiming the team was the "first professional cycling team to achieve carbon neutrality, an accomplishment achieved at the end of the 2023 season" and saying the team was dedicated to "leading the way in sustainable sports and contributing to a more environmentally conscious future".
UAE Team Emirates were one of the numerous organisations – including teams, races, federations and championship organisers – to sign onto the UCI's Climate Charter in 2022, pledging to measure their carbon footprint, reduce their energy consumption and waste production and use sustainable energy.
The team's consultants measured their carbon footprint from the 2022 season at 224.98 tonnes and, to offset the emissions, the team launched five projects across China, Brazil, Pakistan and Indonesia in forest preservation, renewable energy and blue carbon (carbon stored by the ocean and coastal ecosystems).
"Since day one, our team’s mission has been about more than just winning bike races; we were created to become a vehicle for change. Along with the support from our partners, we have committed to driving positive social impact," Gianetti said during a panel discussion at COP28.
"We've already realised this through a number of health and wellness initiatives that encourage, enable and advocate for cycling and now we will extend our remit by supporting the [UAE's] decarbonisation ambitions and implementing a comprehensive sustainability program aimed at achieving a net-zero carbon footprint by the end of 2030."
Soudal-Quickstep have a similar initiative started in 2020, measuring their carbon footprint at a much higher level of 1,228 tonnes of CO2, or "the equivalent of driving a car 179 times around the world, or 539 return flights between Brussels and New York".
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The organisers of the 2021 World Championships in Flanders measured the event's carbon footprint at 2,292 tonnes (not counting travel by spectators) even after implementing numerous measures to reduce the impact on the environment.
The UCI claimed in October the federation had reduced its carbon emissions by 20% and has required WorldTour teams to reduce their emissions by 50% in order to maintain their license.
President David Lappartient also called on race organisers to reduce their carbon footprint by eliminating long transfers, saying the sport has "no other choice but to change".
The UCI's Agenda 2030 aims to reshape the calendar to make travel more efficient, scheduling races in a more unified way across continents, starting from Oceania to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America and back to Asia during the season.
"Within Europe, we should have different racing slots in different areas where all the team vehicles can stay for an extended period of time, even if the riders don't," Lappartient told Cycling Weekly in October. "A good example is the Classics in Belgium in the spring and the Italian Classics in the autumn. Teams are in the same hotels for three weeks, there are races every few days, and this reduces the carbon footprint
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.