Personal reflections on attending the Australian Grand Prix

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to prompt critical reflection on the relationship between international business (IB) and climate change by reference to an example at the margins of IB. The author reflects on personal experience of attending the Australian Grand Prix. Being heavily involved, with others, in research into the social, environmental and economic impacts of climate change in Australia and across Asia Pacific he has reason to be personally reflective on the environmental impacts of Formula 1 and other forms of motor sport. These impacts are both direct, in relation to the racing cars' energy consumption and emissions, and indirect, with regard to spectator, sponsor and support show contributions to carbon emissions.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on personal reflection on experienced events, critical consideration of the discourse of Formula 1 emanating from the organizations involved and associated with it, and consideration of criticism of motor sport as anathema.FindingsReflecting on the nature and impact of Formula 1 racing and its associated events, and on different possible responses to its negative impact on climate and environment, the paper considers internal initiatives to change the nature of its resource consumption. However, the paper also sees that these changes may be largely symbolic within a global business framework in which such moves represent mere “tinkering at the edges” of a major problem to which there is no real solution under current and foreseeable socio‐economic conditions.Originality/valueIn considering various options for “greening” Formula 1, including current projects to reduce its resource inputs and emissions outputs to the extreme of banning it – and similar activities – outright, the paper ponders the (im)possibility of “greening” any organization that is embedded in resource consumption.