This year’s Tour de France comes to an end on Sunday – but its cycle of environmental impacts does not.

The competition first made its position on climate action clear in 2017, when it became a founding member of the Ministry of Sports and WWF’s charter of 15 eco-friendly commitments.

These commitments included a minimum of 50% sustainable food, 80% of journeys made using active mobility, public transport or car sharing and a 25% reduction in waste.

For the 2021 competition, the Tour de France took further action. It ensured all the organisers’ race vehicles were hybrid for the first time, as well as providing fully electric publicity caravans and VIP vehicles.

In terms of plastic waste, 100% of the plastic packaging for promotional items was eliminated unless necessary for hygiene reasons. Single-use plastic glasses were replaced with reusable glass, with coffee cups made from recycled cardboard.