Julia Palle at COP28: ‘It’s time to embrace change’

Palle called for greater action and collaboration when it comes to fighting climate change and how it does not hold back growth, but instead can accelerate it.

During the second week of COP28 where Formula E and its ecosystem have multiple activations in and around both the summit venue and Dubai, Formula E’s Vice President of Sustainability, Julia Pallé delivered two masterclass workshops to DHL’s invited guest on how the series and its Founding and Logistics Partner are leading the way in delivering sustainable innovations in the championship.

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Speaking with Klaus Dohrmann – Vice President, Innovation & Trend Research at DHL during a session on ‘Driving innovation for the next technology S-curve’ - Julia stated that  “While here in Dubai at COP28, we want world leaders and international organisations to see that innovation and collaboration should be at the heart of the climate agenda. And what better way is there than to use the competitive platform of sport to develop cutting edge technology and maximise its global reach to fans.”

Speaking about the Formula E and DHL partnership that enables Formula E to transport and deliver its events around the world according to the highest possible event sustainability rating, ISO 20121 and remain net zero carbon since inception, she stressed the importance of working alongside partners who are equally committed to advancing sustainability and leading the way on fighting climate change.

“Having likeminded partners such as DHL working hand in glove with us on our mission to advance sustainable human progress has significantly increased both the impact and reach of the championship. We set out with a goal to advance sustainable human progress just 10 years ago and look at what’s already be achieved.

READ MORE: How Formula E achieves net zero

"Things like using modular logistics, sustainable fuels for sea and road freight and dramatically reducing the amount of cargo needed at each race are just some of the ways we’re significantly cutting down our footprint. The world is now climate-focused with a clear pathway to reducing carbon emissions, so collaboration and innovation is essential in accelerating that change and seeing real tangible results.”

“We’re here to tell the world that sustainable progress can be made without compromise. Indeed, quite the opposite. Advancements, growth, innovation and sustainability can all powerfully co-exist and provide huge benefits to companies, economies and consumers. The days of thinking sustainability will somehow limit us are definitely over and more people should realise that. What we need is to embrace the journey and positive change to our lives that sustainability is bringing and once and for all and give everything to solving this global and urgent issue.”

READ MORE: Formula E's drive for sustainability

DHL itself is on its own sustainability journey, with strong sustainability credentials and ambitions at the heart of its business. Back in March 2017, the DHL Group announced that it will reduce all logistics-related emissions to zero by the year 2050. In pursuit of this new target, the Group hopes to contribute meaningfully to achieving the goal of limiting global warming to well below two degrees Celsius established at the 2015 Paris climate conference (COP 21), as well as to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.