Challenge Bathurst partners Bathurst Regional Council and Accelerate Events have selected Greenfleet to plant trees to offset carbon in a move that could encourage a more sustainable approach to motorsport participation in Australia.

Bathurst mayor Ian North said council was proud to be leading the way with Challenge Bathurst in supporting a greener motorsport event at Mount Panorama.

"To have the first motorsport event to offset carbon emissions run on the iconic Mount Panorama motor racing circuit is something we are very proud of," Cr North said.

ALSO MAKING NEWS:

"Motorsports is part of the lifeblood of this community. Taking an environmentally conscious approach and running Challenge Bathurst as a carbon neutral event will only add to the long-term sustainability of this event in particular, and motor sports in the longer term."

The move is another boost to council's green credentials and comes just a day it was revealed council had signed has signed a memorandum of understanding with research and development company ScimTek Hydrogen to commercially demonstrate technology at the Bathurst tip that will convert landfill methane to green hydrogen and energy.

Greg Evans from Accelerate Events said Challenge Bathurst had done the homework on becoming carbon neutral and said it was an easy decision to make.

"The rationale is that carbon offsetting is an immediate and cost-effective way to take responsibility for the environmental impact of the Challenge Bathurst event," he said.

"While it's hard to fundamentally change the amount of carbon emissions, due to the engine type of most cars suitable for Challenge Bathurst, it's easy to offset the emissions by partnering with an organisation like Greenfleet.

RELATED:

"However, this is also an emotional decision based on our competitor's desire to do what they love and offset the impact so we can all keep doing this for the next 30 years and more."

As an environmental not-for-profit, Greenfleet is focused on protecting the climate by restoring forests.

Since 1997, Gleenfleet has taken climate action by planting more than 500 forests with over 9.6 million trees across Australia and New Zealand.

In the Bathurst region Greenfleet has planted Matsubayashi Nojo, which is 45 kilometres south of Bathurst, and a forest called Hillview in Duramana, 25 kilometres north of Bathurst. Greenfleet is returning to Hillview in 2022 for further planting.

Challenge Bathurst returns to Mount Panorama from November 11-14.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: