Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge becomes first W2RC rally to earn FIA 2-Star Environmental Accreditation for its sustainable motorsport practices.
ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has made history by becoming the first cross-country rally in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) to secure the prestigious 2-Star Environmental Accreditation from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). Organised by the Emirates Motorsports Organisation (EMSO), the event reflects the UAE’s growing leadership in sustainable motorsport.
Backed by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event’s green milestone underscores its commitment to desert preservation and aligns with FIA directives for all W2RC rounds to meet 2-Star accreditation by 2025. The FIA’s Environmental Accreditation Programme, launched in 2013, sets rigorous global benchmarks across waste, water, energy, and transport efficiency.
EMSO’s 2025 edition featured a comprehensive environmental framework — including impact assessments, legal compliance, and competitor awareness — to ensure minimal ecological disruption. Rally stages were carefully designed to avoid sensitive desert areas, including Al Ain and Jebel Hafit Desert Park, with support from local authorities to protect natural and cultural heritage.
FIA President and event founder Mohammed Ben Sulayem called the achievement a “testament to the UAE’s leadership and legacy in global motorsport,” highlighting the event’s transformation from desert dream to global sustainability benchmark.
EMSO Vice-President Muhammad Khamis Al Muhairi echoed this vision, stating the award “inspires positive change and sets new sustainability standards in motorsport, ensuring our desert remains pristine for generations.”
With the 2-Star rating now achieved, EMSO is targeting the top-tier 3-Star Accreditation by 2026, positioning the UAE at the forefront of environmental excellence in motorsport.
