Silverstone is preparing to stage this weekend’s Pirelli British Grand Prix having just been ranked among the three most sustainable motorsport venues on the planet.
The circuit gained six points in the 2026 Sustainable Circuits Index, published today by Enovation Consulting in collaboration with Professor Paolo Taticchi of UCL School of Management.
It is a notable achievement for a venue already operating at a high level while being driven by new biodiversity initiatives, an expanding transport programme and the increasingly sustainable delivery of its Formula 1 weekend.
Silverstone now holds a High Score of four cups – the index’s highest performance bracket – joining Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Mugello Circuit at the top of the rankings.
The progress reflects a broader sustainability strategy that has been building since 2022.
Silverstone’s Shift to Zero framework targets a 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2040.
Over 2,700 solar panels installed on the roof of The Wing generate more than 10 percent of the venue’s energy requirements, while a partnership with Stowe Gardens – launched in May 2025 – is creating a nature superhighway and biodiversity corridor across both sites.
At the 2024 British Grand Prix, more than 63,000 spectators used shuttle buses from nearby towns and park-and-ride facilities, cutting carbon emissions by 155 tonnes across the event.
The circuit was also the first motorsport venue globally to sign the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action framework in 2022, and holds ISO 14001 for its environmental management system alongside the Greengage ECOsmart Platinum Award.
The leaders
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya retains first place with 77 points, maintaining the score it has held for several years. The Catalan circuit – which has now reverted to a rotational F1 host with its next event scheduled for 2028.
It has been ISO 14001 certified since 2008 and held the FIA 3-Star accreditation since 2015, making it the first F1 track to hold both.
Its 2,319 solar panels generate 50% of the venue’s energy, while a biodiversity programme run in partnership with local forest management organisation Social Forest has restored the 24-hectare woodland surrounding the site.
Mugello Circuit, home of the MotoGP Italian Grand Prix, holds second place on 74 points, while Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500, entered the four-cup bracket along with Silverstone after gaining 12 points, driven in part by the publication of sustainability initiatives with quantitative targets through to 2030.
Most improved
Lusail International Circuit, host of the Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix, is the standout improver in the permanent circuit rankings, gaining 17 points and leaping 31 places.
The circuit achieved FIA 3-Star Environmental Accreditation in 2025 and introduced recycling stations built from repurposed materials alongside an interactive recycling wall in the F1 Fan Zone.
Electric vehicles were deployed across the venue, and three-day ticket holders received complimentary public transport access throughout the race weekend.
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, also now on the F1 calendar on a rotational basis, will host of the Moet & Chandon Belgian Grand Prix later this month and gained 11 points to enter the top ten for the first time.
Temporary circuits
Among the 21 temporary circuits assessed – seven F1 street circuits and fourteen World Rally Championship stages – Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit remains the global benchmark with 55 points, 18 clear of its nearest rival.
It is the only temporary circuit to publish a sustainability report and one of just two with a disclosed sustainability strategy.
Jeddah Corniche Circuit, host of the STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, was the standout improver among temporary venues, gaining 17 points and achieving FIA 3-Star Environmental Accreditation.
The Las Vegas Strip Circuit gained 11 points and achieved FIA 2-Star accreditation, supported by a wide-ranging waste redistribution programme that channels surplus clothing, furniture and supplies to local charitable organisations including Veterans Village and Opportunity Village.
The SCI is produced annually by Enovation Consulting and independently verified by a team of sustainability experts at UCL School of Management.
The full 2026 report is available here.
