Yas Marina Circuit: Placing Sustainability in Pole Position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Photo by Kevin Villaruz
When motorsport fans think of events that capture the thrill of high-speed racing, the season-defining Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, staged at the Yas Marina Circuit beneath a dramatic setting sun, will likely spring to mind.
Alongside its iconic design, Yas Marina Circuit’s high sustainability performance sets a notable example for the motorsport industry and offers a replicable model for large-scale event organisers in other sectors to follow. While sustainability has long been central to the circuit’s operations, progress has accelerated in recent years with the implementation of an ambitious strategy spearheaded by venue operators, Ethara.
As a result, sustainability will undoubtedly take pole position during the 2025 Formula 1 season finale as Ethara aims to reduce emissions and waste, as well as conserve resources.
2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Initiatives
Decarbonising Temporary Power Solutions
To power an event of this scale (in 2024, 192,000 people attended the circuit across Race Weekend), Yas Marina Circuit needs to scale its energy generation capacity using temporary energy solutions.
In the past, these temporary solutions often relied heavily on diesel-powered generators. However, Yas Marina Circuit has implemented a suite of clean energy solutions in recent years to cover additional energy demand. For the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the circuit will deploy three times more temporary solar power capacity than in 2024, alongside a sixfold increase in Battery Energy Storage Systems to efficiently capture and distribute clean electricity. All temporary generators will operate on 100% biofuel blends (B5 and B20), dramatically reducing emissions across event operations.
Key areas of the track — including Turns 2, 5, and 9 — will be powered entirely by clean energy, marking a significant step forward in transitioning away from fossil fuels. By 2035, the circuit hopes to power the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with 100% clean energy.
Sustainable Mobility
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will place a strong emphasis on sustainable mobility options for fans. The entire buggy fleet is now electric, with 10% powered by solar, while nine electric public buses will operate. All remaining outer-cordon buses operate to Euro 6 standards, reducing emissions and improving efficiency.
In 2024, 171,000 attendees used sustainable mobility options – this year, that number is expected to rise significantly. To minimise internal vehicle movement, new pedestrian-friendly walking routes have been introduced between Yas Marina Circuit and Etihad Park making it easier for guests to move between key areas without relying on vehicles.
Improving Water & Waste Outcomes
Keeping fans and staff hydrated is a priority during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Public water refill stations are installed across public areas, including fan zones and the paddock, as well as Etihad Park. Fans are encouraged to use their own refillable bottles or 100% plastic-free biodegradable paper cups.
To drive improved water conservation and waste management outcomes, Yas Marina Circuit has implemented a series of measures, including:
More than 270,000 water cans provided for staff and guests to reduce single-use plastic consumption;
Again, Please is a reusable cup program launched recently by Polygreen, with Ethara's events and venues being the first adopters. The cups are used to serve beverages across the circuit and at Etihad Park, with dedicated collection points and incentive schemes to help drive guest participation and awareness. The cups are then collected for washing, sanitisation and reuse at events. Made from polypropylene, Again, Please cups can be washed up to 500 times before being recycled. The single-use plastic reduction program is a regional first for events on this scale, developed in association with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
More than 55 indoor and outdoor water dispensers placed around the venue to cut waste and encourage efficient water consumption. Water is supplied by UAE-based and owned Ma Hawa, which uses air-to-water technology to generate a minimum of 65,000 litres of high-quality mineralised water per day, eliminating the need for more than 130,000 half-litre plastic bottles daily.
Waste management efforts will be strengthened with 150 dedicated bins for reusable and paper cups, 40 bins for cans, and 70 food-waste bins across both front- and back-of-house areas. In 2024, over 12,000kg of food waste was either donated or composted – similar partnerships with food waste charities have been agreed for the 2025 event. In addition, all landscaping waste will be collected and donated to local farms and composting facilities.
Social Impact
Alongside environmental initiatives, engaging the local community and inspiring the next generation of motorsport fans will be central to the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix experience.
Participants in the Yas in Schools programme – a youth-focused initiative run since 2014 which provides students with a pathway into project-based STEM learning – will enjoy exclusive access to a Pit Lane Walk, track tours, and access to the Fan Zone, while the Community STEM Racing Challenge will offer hands-on opportunities for young people to explore science, technology, engineering, and maths in a motorsport context.
Permanent Sustainable Features
In addition to the temporary initiatives set to be implemented during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit is equipped with several permanent energy-efficient features, including:
LED Lights – Yas Marina Circuit installed nearly 4,000 LED fixtures in 2024. Compared to the previous lighting system, the new LED lights consume 32% less energy annually and possess a 120,000-hour lifespan – 24 times longer than the lights they replaced – while improving visibility and track-side ambience.
Solar Car Park – Marking Yas Marina Circuit’s first on-site permanent renewable energy facility, Ethara commissioned a 1 MW solar car park that became fully operational in time for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The solar car park generates approximately 30% of the circuit’s annual energy demand – equivalent to 700-800 kW of renewable energy daily.
Yas Marina Circuit – Delivering Environmental Excellence Beyond Expectation
Ethara and Yas Marina Circuit continue to push the boundaries of sustainable innovation on the Formula 1 calendar – and 2025 is set to be the most innovative edition of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix yet.
Commenting on the event’s development, Dr Arouge Agha, Ethara’s Head of Sustainability, said: “At Ethara, we aim to keep going from strength to strength in the delivery of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Our commitment to Sustainability is a large and diverse part of this. We recognise, measure and witness the impact of our event each year, seeking every opportunity to use our platform to drive positive change across all our communities.”