Huge success for Day 1 of the Spark the Future Nordic Sustainability Forum held on Aug. 1st, 2024 in Jyväskylä thanks to numerous famous attendees.
To start with, the forum welcomed “The Stig”, ie talented former F1 driver Perry McCarthy who gave a valuable insight of how motorsport can become ecofriendly. His energy on wondering how we can be better is contagious! For him, it’s all about dedication and communication. WRC and F1 are followed by hundreds of thousands of people and should be used as a very special platform of communication. Motorsport must make changes to be viable so let’s do it step by step through a winning culture, mixing top performance and sustainability. Basically, he takes the opportunity to send a message; if F1 and WRC can become carbon free, then you can also! Perry’s way to set realistic objectives is very inspirational!
He was followed by Lauri Perämäki (Deputy executive director of Cefmof), who gave more technical explanations on how they are working for a carbon neutral future. Cefmof is developing hydrogen transportation in Jyväskylä and is making steady progress in experiencing the possibilities of hydrogen. As they work together with Toyota Gazoo Racing and Toyota Mobility, they are able to make a link between technology, dreams, and creativity. Their ambition is high, starting in Jyväskylä, expanding in Finland, and exporting in the world!
Participants were pushed to ask questions, as a ride in a rally car will reward the “best” one!!?
To save mobility by making it sustainable, Olli Helenius (Secto Automotive CEO)explained how the company is setting the standard for a both hassle- and fossil free-car ownership experience. He enhanced the company’s values: “We are trailblazers, empathy is our superpower, sustainability is at the centre of everything”. He insisted on how Secto contributes to achieving Finland’s climate goals by facilitating an easy transition to low-emission driving for its customers. Again, a very positive and active stakeholder who works on reducing car fleet emissions, reducing total costs of car ownership, and emission reporting.
A coffee break was offered to participants and the latter were encouraged to network and were reminded that communication is key if we want to see things changing for the better!!
Marko Viitanen (CEO, NEP Finland) then had a great success telling epic stories of WRC in a sustainable manner! In the early 1990s, they needed 25 km of cables for a 7 km-stage (yes, nearly four times the length of the stage..!!) together with 100 people and 6 trucks! Today, only people who capture the images are on the event, all the others are remote in Helsinki. They use more and more drones to replace helicopters as they give fantastic footages even if they have some technical limitations. Finally, NEP is constantly focusing on content in a more sustainable manner, providing data directly from the cars.
The forum gave voice to Sara Mariani (FIA, sustainability & EDI Director) who detailed the FIA’s approach towards sustainability in motorsports. The FIA acts as an organisation, as a members-based federation, as governing body for motorsport and as an advocate for global sustainability action. It can affect environmental performance, economics activity and social and human progress across the sport and associated industries. The initiatives of the FIA are both numerous and audacious through an holistic approach. It is proud to have been the first federation to obtain the status of observer to the Climate Change Conference (COP). However, Sara is certainly not someone to rest on its laurels and her energy and dedication is pleasant to witness! Her presentation was very informative and energizing!
The icing on the cake was the participation of former WRC driver, Michèle Mouton, who detailed the improvements made on safety on the road. Over the years, spectators have been educated to new rules, marshals have been trained and safety delegates work more and more with on-board cameras. Safety remains the number 1 priority of the FIA as survival of our sport depends on it. Rally Finland will inaugurate virtual chicanes in a couple of hours and shows how it will work for the future of motorsport.
Day 1 ended with a final discussion during which Sara Mariani (FIA) was praised for daring to ask the public what could be improved from a sustainability point? Marc de Jong (Head of Business development, Promoter) mentioned that WRC regulations should give enough freedom to technology to develop innovative perspectives. A very crucial point to be further developed!
Obviously way more to come tomorrow after this first very dynamic day!!
Spark the Future Nordic Sustainability Forum continues tomorrow, 2.8. in Jyväskylä.
(Photo: Tonigraphs)
