Formula E partner with COP22 for Marrakech ePrix

Organisers of the FIA Formula E Championship have announced that the world’s first fully-electric racing series will be an official partner of COP22 for the inaugural Marrakech ePrix.

The 22nd session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22), patient will take place in Marrakech on November 7-18. The summit will take over the reins from COP21 during which historic progress was made in Paris last year.

It will focus on action items in order to achieve the priorities set in the Paris Agreement, especially related to adaptation, transparency, technology transfer, mitigation, capacity building and loss and damages – with notable guests including President of the United States Barack Obama, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The official sporting opening event of COP22 – the 2016 FIA Formula E Marrakech ePrix, which takes place on November 12, will be the first time Formula E visits the continent of Africa and reflects the growing demand for e-mobility solutions across the globe.

Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, said: “We are delighted to be racing in Marrakech – the first time that Formula E has raced on the African continent, which shows how we have evolved into a truly global championship. The event has even greater significance as we are here as one of the official partners of COP22. Formula E fully understands the challenges and risks that climate change presents, and to be a part of the most significant forum for tackling this problem is a huge honour.”

Jean Todt, President of the FIA, said: “Formula E is a great example of an FIA championship among the Federation’s two main pillars – sport and mobility. We are delighted that Formula E has decided to become a partner of COP22 on the occasion of the first edition of the Marrakesh ePrix. As part of the FIA mission to promote clean transport systems available to all, we are looking to encourage the development and adoption of sustainable technologies. Formula E is a fantastic laboratory that will enable the development of ‘clean technologies for all’.”

Said Mouline, CEO of Moroccan Agency for the Development of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, said: “The Formula E Marrakech ePrix on November 12 is an official COP22-certified event and will be a magnificent occasion to demonstrate that electric mobility has reached an excellent level of maturity and that its development is up to determined policies by nation-states. Electric mobility is now also reaching Africa where huge opportunities exist.”