2021 Dakar Rally: Environmental Initiatives

With climate change and caring for the environment an increasingly important issue for the global community, organsiers of the 2021 Dakar Rally have made the conscious decision to take action to reduce the 2021 event’s carbon footprint. For example, in addition to carbon offsets and the redistribution of uneaten food, all cars and trucks to be powered by hydrogen by 2030! Here’s an insight into the other environmental initiatives announced for the 2021 Dakar Rally…

According to ASO, Dakar Rally organisers, “Since its inception in 1979, the Dakar has never shied away from exploring uncharted territories, from the deserts of Africa to the vast landscapes of South America and the arid expanses of the Middle East. It has led the way in discovering new places, pushing the limits of performance and coming up with the logistical solutions needed to set up a bivouac for 2400 people in the heart of deserts around the globe. It is now poised to lead the way in exploring a key dimension of its evolution: the energy transition. The 2021 edition will usher in a new period in which the race will open new paths from an environmental perspective.”

A LABORATORY FOR ALTERNATIVE-FUEL VEHICLES

This year, the Dakar will lay the foundation for an ambitious project that aspires to have all the cars and trucks in the rally powered by hydrogen by 2030. The Dakar is embarking on this new adventure with the support of several brands, who have already thrown their weight behind the project and are researching solutions to achieve this shared goal. At first, the Dakar will encourage the elite and other competitors in the car and truck categories to make a swift transition to hybrid and/or hydrogen-powered engines. All elite drivers in these categories will be required to use hydrogen-based technologies in the near future. Following this process, it will be the turn of the remaining competitors in the car and truck categories – professionals and amateurs alike – to make the switch to hydrogen-powered vehicles.

LOW-CARBON POWER FOR THE BIVOUAC

The Neom bivouac will also be a test bed this year. It will get part of its electricity from solar power. The elements involved in the test will be the giant screen, the briefing area, the competitors’ area, the race Officials’ office and the press room. Neom was chosen for two reasons: because we will be staying there for longer, from January 11-13, and because Neom symbolises “the city of the future” that the Kingdom is building. A press conference will be held in Neom to present this new avenue for development in detail.

AN ECO-FRIENDLY APPROACH

The Dakar is stepping up its commitment in the following areas:

• Offsetting all CO2 emissions resulting from the organisation of the race and the competitors by supporting Greenoxx, a South American NGO that combats deforestation in the Amazon and carries out ecological and social projects among communities in the region.
• Waste treatment and systematic collection after the race passes by.
• Redistribution of uneaten food.
• Working together with national authorities to respect sensitive and/or historical areas.