Since its return to the World Rally Championship calendar in 2021, EKO Rally Acropolis , committed to the continuous improvement of its environmental performance in compliance with the FIA sustainability program and the corresponding Environmental Accreditation Framework. In this direction, in 2021, the EKO Rally Acropolis was awarded a Two Star level certification within the framework of the FIA Environmental Accreditation. 2022 marked yet another particularly important distinction for the WRC EKO ACROPOLIS RALLY.
2022 marked yet another particularly important distinction for the WRC EKO ACROPOLIS RALLY. FIA awarded the event, after an on-site inspection and evaluation, the "three-star" environmental certification, making it the best example of an environmentally sustainable sports event . This certification is the highest awarded by the world federation in the field of the environment and is the first time that any organization in Greece has received it and is valid for two years.

It is noted that this certification has been received by the FIA, among others, in addition to WRC events, FORMULA 1 events and certain factory teams of automobile manufacturers that participate in the World Championships. This distinction came as a result of the organization's systematic effort to improve the environmental footprint of the race, with a key tool, the development of a special environmental management program, in compliance with international environmental certification standards.

Based on the organization's Environmental Policy, goals were set regarding the minimization and better management of the waste that comes directly from the running of the race, the strengthening of environmental awareness among the participants, volunteers, staff and spectators, contributing to the global fight against climate change and minimize the use of natural water and energy resources, encouraging the participation of all stakeholders in the preservation of the environment.
Synergies with local government, sponsors, volunteers and the participants themselves are crucial to achieving the goals.
In 2021, 2022 and 2023, among other initiatives, a waste management and recycling system was implemented, in collaboration with the local authorities and other institutional partners, at all the critical points of the event, the SERVICE PARK in Lamia, but also on the special routes with special environmental importance. The recycling system includes the separate collection of household type waste, recyclables except plastic, plastics, paper - cardboard as well as used engine oils.
At all the above points, more than 250 clearly marked collection bins are placed to facilitate proper disposal. On the special routes, more than 2500 bags of recycled plastic will be distributed to volunteers, judges and spectators, for the sorting and disposal of waste. . The recycling program will also be implemented in the context of the Super Special Route which will take place in the SERIES.
The collaboration with catering service providers maximizes the effort to reduce single-use plastics, while the organization's collaboration with "PLASTIKA THRACE GROUP" / IN THE LOOP, sponsor of the race made it possible to recycle the used and damaged safety nets into new nets. This is a circular economy best practice in world motorsport and the WRC Promoter has already begun the effort to adopt it in other World Championship events. Through this program, more than 20 kilometers of safety nets were collected in 2023, which were the raw material for the upgrading recycling and creation of new nets.

It is particularly important to emphasize that this practice resulted in the reduction of the event's carbon footprint by at least five tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. In all the binding forms to the participating athletes/teams, the instructions for compliance with the organization's environmental policy are mentioned, while continuous checks by the Environment Director of the organization ensure correct application. On the website of the organization there is a special mention for the environmental protection initiatives and you can also find all the related videos.
In the official printed program of the event, which for environmental reasons was printed in limited copies as well as in the maps of the special routes for the spectators, there are clear instructions - exhortations for their active contribution to the protection of the environment. In addition, banners with messages in Greek and English are posted on the special routes which encourage environmentally friendly behavior. In this direction, the WRC EKO ACROPOLIS RALLY, utilized in 2022 and 2023 the synergy of two of its sponsors, TOYOTA HELLAS and IN THE LOOP in order to organize an extensive awareness campaign before and during the race about the need to protect the mountains of our country and keep them clean, "CLEAN MOUNTAIN RACE CAMPAIGN". As part of the campaign, radio messages, messages on social media were made public, while during the race, a specially configured vehicle will pass this year along the special routes and with loudspeakers reminding spectators of the need not to throw away garbage and to take it with them. except for their fond memories and junk. In 2024, with the help of TOYOTA HELLAS and IN THE LOOP
this campaign will be carried out again, while special emphasis will be given to raising awareness of recycling issues on certain special routes.

CONTRIBUTION TO ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE

It is recalled that the racing cars participating in the largest category of the FIA ​​World Rally Championship are of hybrid technology, while the fuel they use comes from non-fossil hydrocarbons - in accordance with the regulation of the Championship, with the aim of limiting the use of non-renewable energy sources, making putting into practice the FIA's commitment to a zero-carbon path for motorsport events.
In this context, this year 2024, the SERVICE PARK of the EKO ACROPOLIS RALLY, in Lamia, will be electrified by "green energy" with certificates of guarantee of origin from renewable energy sources, a practice which is applied for the first time in a WRC event worldwide. This will result in the exponential reduction of the carbon footprint of the SERVICE PARK operation and is indicative of the sensitivity that characterizes the Organizing Committee and the Municipality of Lamia, who recognize the need to contribute to the global effort to prevent climate change.