CAYMAN MOTORING FEDERATION STRENGTHENS SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENT THROUGH LOCAL ACTION

George Town, Cayman Islands

The Cayman Motoring Federation (CMF) has strengthened its commitment to environmentally responsible motorsport through a series of new sustainability initiatives, including collaboration with the National Trust for the Cayman Islands and its Island Offsets programme, and the appointment of Jennifer Pye as CMF Sustainability Ambassador.

The initiatives form part of CMF’s continuing environmental programme and its work under the FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme. CMF achieved FIA One-Star Environmental Accreditation in 2024 and has recently submitted its renewal application, whilst making significant progress towards achieving FIA Two-Star accreditation.

CMF’s commitment to sustainability extends across the leadership of the Federation. A majority of CMF Executive Committee members have completed environmental training through FIA University, strengthening the Board’s understanding of environmental management and the responsibilities of motorsport organisations to reduce their environmental impact.

CMF President Jane Scaletta stated that “The Federation wants its environmental commitment to translate into practical action rather than simply meeting the requirements of an accreditation programme. Motorsport and sustainability do not have to be opposing ideas. As our Federation and our events grow, we have a responsibility to understand our environmental impact, measure it and find practical ways of reducing or compensating for it. We also want those actions to have positive local impact and benefit the Cayman Islands wherever possible.”

A significant step in that commitment is CMF’s participation in Island Offsets, an initiative in partnership with the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. CMF’s Executive Committee has approved an annual contribution towards the Island Offsets programme calculated in relation to carbon emissions associated with CMF activities, including those associated with administrative tasks and executive travel, while funding the conservation and protection of mangrove habitats in the Cayman Islands.

The National Trust has welcomed the commitment, noting that the regular contribution will support its work to protect critical habitat. “We are delighted to welcome the Cayman Motoring Federation to Island Offsets and are grateful for their commitment to making this an annual contribution,” said Catherine Childs, Environmental Programs Manager of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. “Mangroves are incredibly important to Cayman. They store carbon, but they also provide habitat for wildlife, support our fisheries and marine environment, and help protect our communities from flooding and storms. Through Island Offsets, organisations like CMF can make a real, lasting contribution to protecting these important natural areas. By working together, we can protect the nature that protects us.”

The CMF climate contribution initiative was developed with the support of Jennifer Pye, Managing Director of Orbit Advisors, who has been working closely with CMF on its environmental programme and FIA accreditation requirements.

“Jennifer Pye has already played an important role as CMF’s Sustainability Ambassador in strengthening CMF’s environmental management processes, including reviewing its environmental documentation, developing its environmental impact measurements and supporting the CMF’s FIA One-Star renewal application”, says Scaletta. “Her work is also contributing to strong international relationships within the FIA’s Sustainability Network and supporting more robust measurement at local CMF events.”

Future CMF events will increasingly focus on collecting measurable data including resource consumption, waste and other environmental impacts so the Federation can track and measure progress against environmental goals and policy commitments.

“Jennifer has brought a level of knowledge and discipline to this programme that is helping us turn sustainability into something we can actually measure and improve,” Scaletta said. “Her appointment as Sustainability Ambassador reflects how important this area has become to CMF.”

The Federation’s environmental work is also increasingly being integrated into the wider development of motorsport in the Cayman Islands. As CMF expands programmes including Auto Slalom, STEM Racing Cayman Islands, esports and future karting initiatives, sustainability considerations will form part of how programmes and events are planned and delivered.

CMF’s approach is particularly focused on finding solutions appropriate for a small island jurisdiction. “Being a small, accredited organisation should not prevent us from demonstrating leadership,” Scaletta added. “In fact, Cayman gives us an opportunity to show how grassroots motorsport, environmental responsibility and community partnerships can work together. Working with organisations such as the National Trust and Island Offsets allows our international environmental commitments to produce a tangible benefit here at home.”

CMF’s next objective will be to successfully complete its FIA One-Star Environmental Accreditation renewal and continue implementing the systems and improvements required to progress towards FIA Two-Star Environmental Accreditation. The Federation sees the process as part of a longer-term commitment to ensuring that the growth of motorsport in the Cayman Islands is responsible, measurable and sustainable.

For more information about CMF, membership, or upcoming events, visit www.caymanmotoringfederation.org or email info@caymanmotoringfederation.org.