It has not been given the name "Green Hell" lightly - in the truest sense of the word this is what it is. A comprehensive inspection of the environmental situation at the Nürburgring was conducted in 1995 with the goal of establishing an effective environmental management system. The company places high importance on environmental protection and it represents an integral component of the company's commercial activities. At the time and for almost a year, the entire company was placed under the spotlight; installations were examined, documentation inspected, events monitored from an environmental perspective, the behaviour of visitors and the racing and event participants analysed, and employees questioned. The outcome, which was implemented one year later, was a comprehensive environmental strategy and an environmental management system that was custom-made for the Nürburgring and that complied with the EU Eco-management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). This has remained unique among racetracks across the world to this day. The so-called EMAS certification is the highest environmental protection standard available to German commercial enterprises. Since then, the annually submitted environmental declaration and the EMAS audit, which pursuant to the EU Eco-management and Audit Scheme occurs every 3 years (most recently in spring 2007), is one of the Nürburgring's self-imposed standard operating procedures.

Environmental Representative Michael Köbele has responsibilities such as coordinating implementation of the noise regulations (noise measurements, informing the event organiser, establishment of measures); organising waste collection, disposal, verification and data-management; management and coordination of environmental protection measures; compliance with regulations pertaining to hazardous goods as well as the implementation of replacement and compensatory measures in respect of land conservation. At the same time, e.g. through targeted information and control, implementation of binding regulations by spectators, tourists, event organisers, racing teams, hospitality operators, marketers, suppliers and other commercial partners is ensured. In the scope of various land conservation measures, Nürburgring GmbH manages around 35 hectares of ecologically valuable marshland and meadows. A responsible task, which has again been able to initiate decisive ecological optimisation processes in recent years. In consequence, recent years have seen a significant reduction in water consumption; additionally, sightings of the now very rare wildcat and the red kite have increased in the Nürburgring area.

We are happy to receive questions, suggestions and critique on matters concerning environmental protection at the Nürburgring and would ask you to direct these to our Environmental Representatives.

Your contact:
Nürburgring GmbH
Michael Köbele
Environmental Representative
Otto-Flimm-Straße
D-53520 Nürburg
Telephone: +49 (0) 2691/302-172
Fax: +49 (0) 2691/302-155
Michael.Koebele@Nuerburgring.de