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Race Against Climate Change

Sir Richard Branson adds first name to online sustainability pledge as new Formula E season kicks off
DS Virgin Racing launches new climate change initiative

The DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team plus Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group, the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and its partners, has launched a new campaign to accelerate the energy transition and help the world achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Accord (COP21).

Public commitments

Inspired by the success of the team’s recent Innovation Summit in New York, the Race Against Climate Change (RACC) initiative also aims to highlight the growing threat of climate change to an even wider audience through the global appeal of the fully electric Formula E race series.

This is in addition to the scheme’s new online pledge, which allows people to show their support for the cause publicly. The pledge states, ‘Change starts with you! Addressing climate change requires action from all of us. By adding your name to our pledge, and encouraging others to do the same, then you are showing you want to become part of the solution to this global issue.’

Those that sign up will receive a special welcome message, as well as regular news, features and tips on how you can play a part in making a difference.

‘As well as being one of the founding and most successful teams in Formula E, we also see ourselves as much more than a race team. We care passionately about our planet which is why we’ve instigated this innovative new programme. Our team’s purpose is to ‘Power Innovation to Positively Impact Lives’, which is part of a broader team vision of using its platform to inform, inspire and deliver sustainable societies.’

ALEX TAI
DS Virgin Racing’s team principal

Action on climate change

Sir Richard Branson was the first to add his signature, which was quickly followed by a host of prominent environmentalists including world-leading climatologist Professor Michael Mann and Fisher Stevens, director of Before the Flood starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

‘As myself and countless others experienced earlier this year, man-made climate change is contributing to increasingly strong hurricanes causing unprecedented damage. The whole world should be scrambling to get on top of the climate change issue before it is too late – for this generation and those to come. No one person, government or business is going to solve this alone. We have to work together. Educating people is the first step to change and that’s where DS Virgin Racing’s Race Against Climate Change comes in. We want to highlight this campaign to an even wider audience and inspire race fans, those in the city’s we race in, governments and businesses to take positive action.’

SIR RICHARD BRANSON
Founder of Virgin Group

Accelerating towards renewables

Throughout this season and beyond, Race Against Climate Change will be hosting a range of initiatives aimed at addressing the wider issues surrounding climate change.

The idea is to ‘create a platform for others to demonstrate what they are doing to address the issue and, more importantly, inspire others to do the same’.


‘Our addiction to fossil fuels puts our planet and the people on it at risk. Tackling such an urgent and enormous challenge can feel daunting. Yet, the climate challenge is not only solvable, but also a huge economic opportunity that can benefit future generations and our own. The energy transition towards renewables, electric vehicles and energy efficiency is accelerating faster than ever before. This gives us hope that the problem can be solved we’re committed.’

JON CREYTS
MD of RMI

Formula E season begins

Formula E is the world’s first electric street racing series, defined by real street rivalries, raw electric performance and renewable energy within reach.

Formula E is disruptive in motorsport, redefining the boundaries of what a sport can be by fusing entertainment, sustainability, technology and innovation.

It’s fighting climate change by offering electric vehicles as a solution to air pollution in city centres and breaking down the barriers to the electric vehicle market.

The 2017 HKT Hong Kong E-Prix will once again be the opening event for the Formula E season.

Due to the overwhelming success of the inaugural HKT Hong Kong E-Prix, this year’s event will be expanded to two races, making Hong Kong the first Asian city to host a double-header.

Taking place on 02 and 03 December 2017, the E-Prix will return to the purpose-built urban track at the Central Harbourfront. With its pole position on the racing calendar and major landmarks such as the International Finance Centre, Hong Kong Observation Wheel and Hong Kong City Hall as the backdrop, the HKT Hong Kong E-Prix has cemented its place as one of Formula E’s most iconic races.

Click here for more information on the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team or to sign the pledge.

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