The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, hosted the final event of its 2026 Sustainable Innovation Series (SIS) in Alghero on Thursday 1 October, at the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Rally Italia Sardegna. 

Co-hosted with the Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), the forum brought together government, environmental, sporting and industry leaders to examine what biodiversity loss and a less predictable climate mean for the organisers of outdoor events. With Rally Italia Sardegna being home to some of the most sensitive landscapes in the Mediterranean, the island provided a natural setting for the discussion. 

That spirit of partnership ran through the panels that followed, moderated by Maria Iuliano, Senior Communications & DEI Manager at Enovation Consulting and FIA United Against Online Abuse scholar. One message was clear: for outdoor sports, climate resilience and sustainability regulation are no longer a nice-to-have. They are an essential part of managing risk, protecting competitors, officials and fans, and securing the long-term future of the sport. 

In Sardinia, where wildfire is the greatest risk organisers of WRC Rally Italia Sardegna and the Forestry Agency of Sardinia explained how they work with environmental authorities to plan routes around sensitive habitats, manage spectator access and restore affected areas after the rally. Early cooperation with local experts allows events to reduce their impact without compromising the competition. 

Weather is an increasingly important part of that picture. Rising temperatures now call for heat policies and flexible scheduling. The ATP Tour described how tennis is doing the same, adjusting match times and its calendar to avoid extreme heat, and how different sports can learn from each other’s approaches. 

Progress also depends on innovation. Official Partner of the Sustainable Innovation Series Hankook and the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team described rallying’s demanding conditions as a valuable testing ground for technologies that can transfer to road vehicles, from the sustainable fuel the WRC has used since 2022 to tyres containing more than 30% sustainable materials. Recycled-material technology remains central to motorsport’s sustainability efforts. Hankook Chief Specialist Massimo Cialone explained how the company is advancing this work for the wider benefit of the WRC.  

Pierre Villez, F1 & Sport Sustainability Lead at the FIA, set out how the FIA is driving this innovation through dedicated tool such as the FIA Biodiversity Assessment Tool that uses satellite data to compare a rally’s footprint before, during and after the event and by embedding sustainability in the regulations of all FIA Championships. Panellists also agreed that communication is one of the easiest wins, with drivers and players seen as the strongest messengers.  

The forum closed with an address from Avv. Antonino Geronimo La Russa, President of the Automobile Club d'Italia. 

Emilia Abel, Road Sport Director at the FIA, said:  
“Rallying takes place in some of the world's most remarkable landscapes, and we have a responsibility to protect them. In Sardinia, organisers, manufacturers, regional authorities and governing bodies showed how working together can reduce the impact of our events and leave lasting value in the regions that host them. Through our projects, programmes and regulations, the FIA will continue to embed sustainability across all of its Championships.” 

Avv. Antonino Geronimo La Russa, President of the Automobile Club d'Italia, said:  
“We were proud to welcome the FIA Sustainable Innovation Series to Sardinia alongside Rally Italia Sardegna. Protecting the island's extraordinary natural heritage is essential to the future of this event, and today's discussions confirmed that motor sport can be a driving force for innovation, climate resilience and respect for the territories that host it.” 

The FIA Sustainable Innovation Series brings together leaders from sport, industry, technology, government and academia to accelerate sustainable innovation in motor sport and the transition to safer, smarter and more sustainable mobility for the future. The Series will return in 2027, with details of the programme to be announced in due course. 

ENDS 

For media enquiries please contact Maria Zander, Corporate Communications Manager: [email protected]       

About the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile 

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility.  

Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 246 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including six FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.