Calling for change

A unique sculpture made from previously used Formula E race car parts is set to be auctioned to benefit a children’s organisation’s climate programmes.

The ‘Children’s Planet’ installation was designed and made by British sculptor Charles Elliot using parts of the Formula E GEN2 race cars used in Season 8. 

The stunning piece measuring 2.5m in diameter was unveiled at Formula E’s London E-Prix finale of Season 9 in the Championship, with an aim to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on young people.

It was created with broken and damaged parts of race cars gifted by all 11 Formula E teams - with their reuse highlighting the importance of circularity in manufacturing and the teams’ collective support for the championship’s partner, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef).

Formula E, the world’s first sport to be certified net zero carbon since inception, was also the first international sports organisation to partner with Unicef to tackle climate change.

“This creation showcases the collective effort across the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship to support Unicef’s vital work through its Safe and Healthy Environment Fund,” said Formula E chief executive officer Jeff Dodds.

“As the world’s leading professional sport combining high-performance and sustainability without compromise, we are proud to be the first sport to partner with Unicef on climate-related issues.”

The money raised from the auction will directly contribute to the climate fund, which helps create a planet where every child can live in a safe, clean and sustainable environment through providing educational and healthcare schemes that directly benefit those most affected by climate change.

The sculpture depicts an incomplete globe with 11 child-like figures in the centre, representing all teams of the championship while aiming to raise awareness of children and young people being disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change.

By positioning them in the centre, the sculpture also highlights the leading role that children and young people play as powerful agents for change.

Since 2021, when Formula E and Unicef established an innovative partnership, their work has benefited 2.5 million children and young people, through climate change programmes across the world.

In 2022 alone, more than 1.8m youngsters benefited through the partnership.

“Children and young people play a key role in addressing climate-related risks by promoting environmentally sustainable lifestyles and setting an example for their communities; they are at the centre of issues arising from climate change,” said Unicef’s UK Committee chief executive Jon Sparkes.

“It is wonderful to see Children’s Planet, position children and young people, in their rightful place, at the centre of the globe, to acknowledge them as active agents, taking action against climate change issues. I would like to thank our partner, Formula E, for helping Unicef create a cleaner, safer environment.”

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns in Season 10 with the 2024 Mexico City E-Prix on January 13, 2024 and includes a debut Formula E race on the streets of Tokyo on March 30.