TIME100 Climate Leader Alejandro Agag: Revolutionising Motorsport for a Sustainable Future
Alejandro Agag, founder and chairman of Formula E, has been recognized as one of TIME100's Climate Leaders in Business for 2024 in the "Innovators" category. This honour highlights Agag's transformative role in the world of motorsport and his commitment to advancing sustainable innovation through his projects, which include Formula E, Extreme E (changing to Extreme H next season), and the E1 Series.
Launched in 2014, Formula E was the first all-electric racing championship designed to promote sustainable mobility. From its inception, Agag envisioned a series that would not only deliver exciting, high-speed racing but also serve as a platform to showcase the potential of electric vehicles in combatting climate change. Under his leadership, Formula E became the first sport to be certified net zero carbon since its founding, setting a new standard for sustainability in global sports.
The series has played a crucial role in accelerating the development of EV technology, with major automakers like Porsche, Nissan, McLaren and Jaguar using it to test and refine innovations that make their way into consumer electric vehicles. By hosting races in the heart of iconic cities like New York, Berlin, and Monaco, Formula E aims to spread its ecological message to as many people as possible, including awareness about urban air quality issues and the importance of transitioning to clean energy solutions.
Agag’s vision for sustainable motorsport didn’t stop at Formula E. He went on to establish Extreme E in 2021, an off-road racing series highlighting climate change's impact in some of the world’s most remote and fragile environments. From the Arctic to the Amazon, Extreme E brings attention to issues like deforestation and melting ice caps while promoting electric off-road vehicles as an alternative to traditional gas-guzzling counterparts.
Additionally, Agag co-founded the E1 Series, the world’s first electric powerboat racing championship. This series aims to revolutionise water-based motorsport by introducing high-speed, battery-powered hydrofoils. E1's focus on clean energy and marine conservation has drawn attention to the need for sustainable innovation across all forms of transportation, including maritime travel.
TIME100's Climate Leaders list celebrates individuals making measurable, scalable progress in addressing climate change. TIME’s editors, in collaboration with climate experts, highlighted Agag's achievements for their real-world impact, particularly in sectors like energy and transportation, where meaningful change is crucial.
In his interview with TIME, Agag emphasises the necessity of a collaborative approach to tackling climate challenges: “the reality is there is no silver bullet to drastically advance the climate agenda. Climate solutions are about evolution rather than revolution. Yes we need bold, ambitious and entrepreneurial thinking, but we have to ensure we're all bought into the strategy of how we're going to achieve our aims.”
With Formula E entering its 11th season and plans to expand the reach of Extreme E/ Extreme H and the E1 Series, Agag remains at the forefront of the movement for sustainable sports. His vision and leadership offer a hopeful example of how industries traditionally associated with high emissions can transform into pioneers of climate action.
Alejandro Agag's recognition as a TIME100 Climate Leader is a testament to his relentless pursuit of a greener future, using the global stage of motorsport to inspire change and accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation. His work exemplifies how innovative thinking in business can drive impactful solutions for the planet.
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