BMW has been highlighted as one of four “clear leaders” in the automotive industry, set to thrive in a post COP21 era.
A new report released by CDP compares emissions-related metrics of 15 of the world’s largest automakers that account for around 90% of the global auto market by sales volume.
BMW ranks third in the overall table, jumping from eighth place last year. Nissan, Renault and Toyota also come out top.
CDP praised BMW’s support of low carbon regulation and development of plug-in electric vehicles, and awarded it an A-grade for its management of emissions during the manufacturing stage – which accounts for around 20% of the industry’s emissions.
Paul Simpson, Chief Executive of CDP, said: “By performing well in areas such as advanced vehicles and supporting low carbon regulation manufacturers such as Nissan, Renault, BMW and Toyota are putting themselves in the fast lane for future growth.”
BMW joined RE100 during the climate negotiations last December and committed to transition to 100% renewable power, with an interim target of sourcing more than two thirds of the group’s electricity from renewables by 2020. Alongside renewables, the company has been aggressively working to decrease energy consumption in production, and by 2014 had reduced this per vehicle by 34.2%, compared to 2006.
When joining the campaign, Dr. Markus Schramm, Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning and Product Strategy at BMW Group, said: “The BMW Group is continually reducing its energy consumption and is intensifying its efforts to produce more power in-house and to use energy from local renewable sources. The company also actively supports the expansion of renewable energy. This enables us to increase our autonomy and profitability.”
Another leading automobile company, Tata Motors Limited, was the first company to join RE100 post COP21. The move committed the company to switching its operations to 100% renewable electricity and paved the way for other businesses in the sector to follow suit.
CDP analysis shows that the car manufacturing industry has a long way to go to play its part in tackling climate change, however.
Simpson said: “It’s time for car makers to take climate change seriously. Six months on from the VW emissions scandal, today’s new investor research shows that too many companies still fall short in the light of stringent regulation and possible penalties on fleet emissions and that’s a significant risk for the sector as a whole.”