Since 2022, the Nicky Grist Stages has partnered with Carbon Positive Motorsport as part of its long-term commitment to reducing and mitigating the event’s carbon footprint.
Carbon Positive Motorsport will once again work with the Nicky Grist Stages in 2026, continuing a partnership that helps one of Britain’s best-known gravel rallies take practical and credible climate action.
The Quinton Motor Club-organised rally takes place on Saturday 11 July and will once again be based in Builth Wells, with the service area at Builth Wells RFC / Groe Park and the rally action taking place on classic mid-Wales gravel stages.
Through the partnership, the Nicky Grist Stages has helped to support environmental projects that combine long-term carbon capture with wider benefits for nature, biodiversity and climate resilience.
How the Nicky Grist Stages is helping create a climate-safe haven for Giant Sequoias
Through Carbon Positive Motorsport, the Nicky Grist Stages has helped to support the Abergavenny Sequoia Project, contributing towards the planting of 1,500 Giant Sequoias and 6,000 native broadleaf trees.
Managed by The Great Reserve organisation, the Abergavenny Sequoia Project is a major UK environmental initiative designed to establish a climate-safe haven for endangered Giant Sequoia trees.
Giant Sequoias are among the largest and longest-living tree species in the world, but they are under threat from climate change, drought and wildfires, making conservation projects such as the Abergavenny initiative increasingly important.
The project ultimately aims to establish up to 100,000 Giant Sequoias across protected UK sites, creating a long-term carbon capture resource while safeguarding the future of one of the world’s most iconic tree species.
Henry Emson, Founder of The Great Reserve, says that the Abergavenny Sequoia Project combines species conservation with long-term carbon capture: “As a dual-purpose project covering both the conservation of an endangered species and large-scale, long-term carbon capture, we are already going beyond what many carbon projects offer,” he explains.
“There is no question that our planting methods and long-term plans are far more beneficial to the ecology of our sites than what was there before – a monoculture of non-native conifers. By planting three natives per sequoia at our sites, and a plan to thin out our planted nurse crop conifers, we will create a site far more biodiverse than we found,” he added.
“This project will, I expect, take us 10 years more to deliver all 100,000 Giant Sequoias, possibly longer – but the trees, all on owned land, will be protected long after that.”
For Carbon Positive Motorsport, the scale, longevity and monitoring of the project is vital. Giant Sequoias continue growing throughout their life, which can last centuries – which is why protected, well-managed sites such as Abergavenny have the potential to deliver long-term carbon capture.
Research into UK-grown Giant Sequoias shows why the species is a significant long-term carbon capture tree. A 2024 study estimated that they can sequester around 85kg of carbon per tree per year, depending on age, climate, location and management. In CO2 terms, that is roughly equivalent to locking away the carbon contained in just over 300kg of carbon dioxide each year as the tree grows.
Neil Cross, Clerk of the Course for the Nicky Grist Stages, said: “The Nicky Grist Stages is proud to have worked with Carbon Positive Motorsport since 2022. The rally is based in a beautiful part of mid-Wales, and while our focus is always on delivering a safe, enjoyable and competitive event, we also recognise the importance of reducing and mitigating our environmental impact wherever we can.
“Carbon Positive Motorsport gives our competitors a straightforward way to take responsibility for the carbon generated by their participation in the rally, while supporting credible projects with long-term environmental value.”
Steve Smith, Carbon Positive Motorsport Director, added: “The Nicky Grist Stages has been committed to this work for several years, and that consistency really matters. Motorsport has a responsibility to understand its impact and take practical steps to reduce and mitigate it.
“Our partnership shows that climate action does not have to sit separately from the sport. It can be built into the way events are organised, communicated and supported by competitors, marshals and spectators.”
Carbon Positive Motorsport helps anyone involved in motorsport to measure, reduce and take responsibility for carbon emissions. Its approach focuses on credible action, using tonnes of CO2e as the proper measure of carbon impact, while also supporting environmental projects that deliver wider benefits beyond carbon alone.
Through its work with events such as the Nicky Grist Stages, Carbon Positive Motorsport enables rallying to take credible climate action in a practical and measurable way.
The 2026 Nicky Grist Stages will once again give competitors, marshals and spectators the opportunity to take responsibility for the carbon generated by their journey to and from the rally.
You can mitigate and offset your carbon impact for every litre of fuel you use at https://www.carbonpositivemotorsport.com/purchase-offsets
It only costs a little to make a big difference for the sport, so whether you’re a competitor, marshal or spectator, why not join with us to help make motorsport sustainable.
