Tartu Marathon is Vigorously Reducing its Carbon Footprint

Tartu Marathon joined hands with a new fuel partner, Neste Eesti, and renounces the use of fossil fuels in its transport, in the preparation of ski tracks and in the operation of electricity generators along the track. 

According to the Tartu Marathon chief organizer Indrek Kelk, the organization team has developed a common understanding that sports events can and should be organized as environmentally friendly as possible.

"It is important that our biggest sporting events be as environmentally friendly as possible. We have already taken some steps, for example replacing single-use plastic dishes and plastic bags with reusable ones, however our biggest concern was fossil fuel, which is consumed a lot especially during winter," Kelk says.

"We cannot give up fuel entirely, but we can choose which one to use. Starting this year, in cooperation with Neste, our snow groomers, vehicles and electricity generators will be switched to fully renewable diesel,” he continues.

Last year, a total 12,000 liters of diesel was used to organize the Tartu Ski Marathon. According to the Indrek Kelk, the same amount will be needed this year as well. By replacing 12,000 liters of fossil fuel with renewable Neste MY, the greenhouse gas emission will amount to 3,800 kg/CO2e, while with fossil diesel this figure would be 41,000 kg/CO2e.

Additionally, Neste MY is odorless. "Which means that this year's Tartu ski marathon will emit less fuel odors from the operation of its machines," says Neste Eesti CEO Dennis Antamo.

By switching to Neste MY renewable diesel, the environmental impact of the Tartu Ski Marathon fleet will decrease by 90 percent on average. These savings are achieved through the use of waste and residues in the production of fuel. In total, Neste utilizes ten non-fossil raw materials for the production of sustainable fuels for the road transport, marine and aviation sectors.

*) Neste MY helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by an average of 90% when comparing the life cycle of fuel consumption with fossil diesel consumption. The calculation is based on the Renewable Energy Directive II (2018/2001/EU) of the European Union. Read more about Neste MY reduced emissions: https://www.neste.com/products/all-products/renewable-road-transport/reduced-emissions 

About Neste

Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights and supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2021, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 15.1 billion. Read more: neste.com