Image: Sam Bloxham courtesy of Formula E
In the first of a two-part exclusive interview with Julia Palle, a familiar figure in the world of Formula E, her presence is often seen whenever the sport achieves something innovative. Palle’s contributions behind the scenes have played a significant role in setting new standards for Formula E, both on and off the track. However, understanding the complexities of her role may not be obvious to most.
Palle explains: “My responsibility is to turn the Championship’s purpose and mission into a tangible reality. This involves accelerating sustainable human progress and devising a strategy for its implementation.”
She adds: “My focus is to bring to life the core values of the business. This includes developing an environmental Net Zero strategy, creating a social impact strategy, and promoting what we call ‘value through values’. This approach enables us to promote sustainability among our teams, partners, and suppliers. Our ultimate goal is to remain at the forefront of sustainability, leadership, and innovation. For example, the GEN3 car, designed with sustainability KPIs and circular economy principles, exemplifies our commitment. Furthermore, our consistent top ranking in the global ESG sports ranking for the second consecutive year shows our dedication to these principles.”
The message from Formula E is clear: races can be exciting without causing harm to the planet. Several manufacturers in the championship, such as Jaguar and Maserati, have taken significant steps towards producing electric vehicles for the road. They have committed to transitioning to a fully electric lineup by the end of the decade. Palle emphasizes that the advancements made by these teams have not only influenced the production of road cars, but also sparked the interest of sponsors supporting the Championship.
The teams and partners that join us will be part of our commitment to sustainability, which is reflected in the technological advancements we are making. For our partners, they see an opportunity to collaborate with us and develop sustainable solutions that can be implemented on a larger scale. Take Nissan, for example, which has been with us since the beginning of Formula E. Through their involvement, the battery capacity of their Nissan Leaf electric car has increased by over 180%. This is the result of research and improvements made in our garages, which have been transferred to everyday passenger cars.
Another example is our insurance partner, Allianz, who has been working with us for several seasons to combat plastic pollution. They have made this a priority at a group level and used our partnership to create initiatives around hydrogen stations. Through this collaboration, we have been able to eliminate over half a million plastic bottles from landfills and oceans. Allianz is also using this partnership to showcase their capabilities and achievements to their clients.
Formula E is currently in Season 10 and we have set several goals for ourselves. Under the guidance of our CEO, Jeff Dodds, we are focused on maintaining our environmental strategy and expanding our work with the FIA’s Girls on Track program. Our goal is to remain aligned with our Net Zero carbon strategy and reduce CO2 emissions related to the Championship by 50% by 2030. This includes addressing logistics, travel, event operations, and even food served at our events. We are proud to say that we have been following the path to achieve this goal over the past three years, despite the challenges of exponential growth.
On the social side, we continue to prioritize children and their education and empowerment. Through partnerships with organizations like UNICEF, we can support programs that promote gender equality and female empowerment. Our flagship program, Girls on Track, aims to inspire girls to pursue careers in motorsport or STEM fields. We offer them the opportunity to drive electric karts and expose them to successful role models who have excelled in the industry. By expanding this program and having it at every event this season, we hope to double the impact and create a group of talented women who can contribute to motorsport in various roles.
We are also committed to maintaining high standards in environmental, social, and governance practices. This year, we are working towards obtaining B Corp certification, which recognizes companies that demonstrate exceptional levels of sustainability. Additionally, we strive to be at the top of the Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sports, having ranked first in the motorsport category for three consecutive years. This not only shows our commitment to sustainability, but also proves that sustainability and sports can coexist and mutually reinforce each other.
Recently, we shared a video on our social media channels featuring Reem Al Aboud in our BETA car, setting a new speed benchmark from 0 to 60. This is a clear example of how sustainability and sports can come together to create social impact. The innovation and technology used in the car captivate fans and generate excitement, while highlighting the importance of sustainability.
Finally, we continue to collaborate with our teams and partners to promote sustainability in their own narratives. We have established a conference platform called “Change.Accelerated.Live”, where we bring together teams and partners for leadership discussions. Our next event will be held in Tokyo, where we will explore the future of carbon-zero societies and discuss topics such as diversity, equality, and inclusion in sports and technical industries. Our goal is to leave a lasting legacy through these initiatives.
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Sports fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the new football season. With revamped teams and talented players, the competition promises to be fierce. Everyone is gearing up to see their favorite teams in action and cheer for big victories.
One of the most anticipated teams is Flamengo. With its star-studded lineup and experienced coach, the Rio de Janeiro team is confident in winning titles this year. The players have been training hard and are ready to face any challenges that come their way.
Another team that is catching attention is Palmeiras. After a successful season, the São Paulo team is determined to maintain their good performance. With a solid group and a passionate fan base, Palmeiras has everything to shine once again.
Furthermore, we cannot forget about Corinthians. The white-and-black team has a rich history and a loyal fan base. With a new coach in charge, Corinthians is looking to reclaim its place at the top of Brazilian football.
These are just some of the teams that promise to spice up the football season. The games will be thrilling and fans are eager to see what their favorite teams have to offer. Get ready, because the ball will start rolling and the competition will be intense. Let’s cheer and celebrate together for great football moments!
