Apex Circuit Design has reaffirmed its position as one of motorsport’s most sustainability-conscious design consultancies, securing the renewal of its FIA Environmental Accreditation at the Three-Star level – the highest status awarded under the global programme.

Apex was the first circuit design consultancy to achieve the Three-Star status in the FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme, delivered in partnership with BSI (British Standards Institution), provides a consistent global framework to measure and enhance environmental performance across motorsport and mobility. Three-Star accreditation signifies full alignment with the FIA’s best practice principles for environmental management, comparable to the international ISO 14001:2015 standard.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Apex’s renewal reflects not only compliance but active progression. The FIA’s audit report noted that the company had achieved a measurable reduction in carbon emissions, cutting its footprint from approximately 90 tonnes in 2023 to 75 tonnes in 2024, alongside corresponding improvements in emissions per employee and per revenue unit. This performance underscores Apex’s structured commitment to continual improvement – a key principle of the FIA/BSI environmental framework.

Design Director and Environmental Champion Jack Wheeler led the renewal process, supported by Apex’s sustainability team and oversight from Managing Director Dafydd Broom. The FIA’s assessment highlighted the firm’s “work infrastructure conducive to reducing carbon emissions” and a “high level of understanding of sustainability and its associated activities.”

“Environmental responsibility has been embedded in our culture since Apex began,” said Wheeler. “This latest accreditation renewal is both a recognition of our progress and a challenge to keep raising our standards. As designers of circuits and venues that shape motorsport’s future, we have a responsibility to recognise the construction of new motorsport venues can carry 1,000,000s of laps worth of embodied carbon.”

Reducing Impact, Enhancing Design

Operating from its historic headquarters in Forty Green, Buckinghamshire, Apex has implemented a broad range of measures that minimise environmental impact while enhancing business efficiency. The company’s solar energy installation and biomass heating system provide renewable energy on-site, complemented by comprehensive insulation upgrades and the replacement of legacy doors and fittings to improve energy performance.

As an office-based design consultancy, Apex’s direct environmental footprint is low, yet the firm has introduced thoughtful initiatives to address its primary sources of impact: staff commuting and travel to international project sites. Employees benefit from electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, flexible hybrid working policies that reduce commuting emissions by up to 40%, and a proactive policy of video conferencing for overseas clients to reduce unnecessary flights. All air miles, hire car mileage and hotel stays are logged to ensure complete visibility of business travel emissions.

Embedding Sustainability in Motorsport Design

Apex’s influence extends beyond its own operations. Sustainability forms a defining part of its design philosophy, ensuring every new motorsport or automotive facility integrates long-term environmental value. From encouraging the use of local materials and contractors to incorporating natural landscape features, the company aims to deliver projects that perform efficiently and harmoniously within their surroundings.

The FIA audit cited Apex’s use of simulation technology to validate design work without the need for destructive on-site works – a measure that reduces both cost and environmental impact. The company also engages in carbon-offsetting whilst supporting a local charity via tree-planting with the Forest of Marsden Vale.

“A fantastic organisation working tirelessly to reforest and ancient woodland, benefitting the local community with biodiversity, economic benefit, education,” said Wheeler. “This initiative allows us to offset 100% of our residual carbon footprint. further reinforcing its commitment to a balanced approach to sustainability.”

Apex’s environmental management system closely mirrors the structure of ISO 14001:2015, and recent refinements have introduced an Environmental Aspects and Impacts Register, a Legislation Register, and benchmarking metrics to track SMART objectives. These additions ensure that Apex’s environmental governance continues to evolve in line with best practice.

Looking Ahead

“Our focus is on measurable progress,” Wheeler added. “We don’t treat accreditation as a finish line – it’s a continuous process of learning and refinement. Every improvement we make internally enhances the sustainability of the facilities we design globally.”

With the FIA and BSI three-star renewal confirmed, Apex Circuit Design continues to set the standard for environmentally responsible motorsport development – combining technical excellence with a clear commitment to shaping a lower-carbon future for the industry.