FIA Awards Rally Turkey Three-Star Environmental Accreditation
Rally Turkey, which formed part of the 2020 FIA World Rally Championship and was organised by the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye in Marmaris from 18-20 September, has been upgraded by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to the three-star category, the highest level of its environmental sustainability accreditation. 
To underline environmental awareness in the sporting activities of the event and to raise public awareness, wide-ranging plans to protect nature were drawn up under the slogan 'Behave Ecofriendly', in cooperation with Zero Waste management and Çevko. The measures taken and the fieldwork carried out across the 707 square kilometres covered by the event earned full marks from the FIA Environment and Sustainability Commission and independent auditors from abroad.
The eco marshals, deployed for the first time at the rally headquarters, media centre, service park, refuelling zones and stages, helped ensure compliance with the environmental protocol through defined duties and checklists. During the FIA's audit, it was stressed that this approach could serve as a 'point of reference' for World Rally Championship events.
TOSFED Acting President Nisa Ersoy said the federation was very proud of this success, achieved through great teamwork. "Our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the ecological footprint created during the event, and to integrate environmental sustainability into the sport, were supported and made workable by the regional authorities, which was crucial in earning this achievement," Ersoy said.
The environmental measures taken as part of the Rally Turkey organisation were as follows:
• Environmental training was given to all marshals and support units working on the rally.
• Environmental certificates, quality documents and compliance were required from sponsors and event suppliers.
• Green-certified hotels were mainly chosen for accommodation.
• In line with pandemic conditions, fuel consumption was kept down by using public transport to reach assigned posts and by reducing the number of vehicles used in the organisation.
• Regional dealerships of the food sponsor and local producers were chosen, shortening transport distances and so reducing carbon emissions.
• Undated and reusable materials were used, with permanent and demountable designs preferred.
• At the work sites, the use of printed documentation, water and energy consumption, ground and environmental cleanliness, and waste and sorting management were inspected periodically.
• Under the zero waste project, with Çevko's cooperation and the support of the municipalities, air-conditioning condensate and dirty/oily water were collected and sent to sorting centres.
• Stations with bins for paper, plastic, glass, composite, metal, batteries and medical waste were set up, providing recycling and environmental benefit. In Çevko's report, a measurable reduction in the amount of waste was recorded this year. 
