THE Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally has introduced a Carbon Contribution Programme for the 2023 event which kickstarts an ongoing commitment to aim to reduce the carbon footprint of the prestigious annual motorsport event [May 26-28].

The closed-road stage rally, based in Duns in the Scottish Borders attracts some of the best drivers in the world to the region throughout the weekend as competitors in the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship, Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship and KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship tackle some of the most highly regarded stages in the country.

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Organised and promoted by the Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club (JCMMC), the Jim Clark Rally will embark on a project to recognise its impact on the environment and set about reducing its carbon footprint, with officials, competitors and spectators all playing a part in its commitment.

With guidance from the sports governing body Motorsport UK and the Scottish Borders Council, the Jim Clark Rally has selected the Tweed Forum as the Official Carbon Capture Partner for 2023.

With stages taking place mostly in and around the Tweed Valley in the Scottish Borders, the Tweed Forum programme ensures a relevant and local programme is utilised in the heart of the region used by the rally.

The event has used the Tweed Forum’s tree planting programme, and will be contributing towards new woodland creation in the area.

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Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the Jim Clark Rally is set to plant around 660 new trees this year to reduce the carbon footprint created by the event.

This commitment will see approximately 130 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) being captured over 35 years, with a further dedication to carry out more planting each rally year.

Professor Dan Wright MBE Chairman, Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club Chairman recognises the importance of a sustainable commitment to reducing the impact the event has on the environment.

“Despite the perception, motorsport is far from the most damaging sport to the environment and all stakeholders involved in the discipline are working hard towards lowering the climate impact, for example, more sustainable fuels,” he says.

“But many of these are developing technologies and unviable for an event such as the Jim Clark Rally, and so we have been looking at ways to reduce our overall footprint by utilising a carbon capture programme."

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“It was vital that the scheme was local to the event and a non-profit organisation, so we are delighted to partner with the Tweed Forum’s tree-planting programme in 2023 and make the first and vital steps in the process. There is no doubt our commitment will increase in the future as we all have a part to play.”

Tweed Forum Director, Luke Comins said: “Organisations are increasingly recognising the importance of addressing the environmental impact of their activities so we’re pleased that the Jim Clark Rally organisers have decided to support our work in this way. As well as capturing carbon, the right trees planted in the right place at the right scale provide multiple benefits including flood risk reduction and biodiversity enhancement. We’re grateful that this high profile event has chosen to back our important work in the Tweed river catchment.”