COP26: The role of automotive
COP, or The Conference of Parties or the United Nations Climate Change Conference, is a global gathering designed to accelerate action towards meeting the goals set out in the Paris Agreement which aims to limit global warming to under 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times.
This year is the 26th COP (hence COP26) and world leaders, businesses and people from across the globe will be heading to Glasgow to discuss how to tackle the climate crisis.
In the words of the organisers this event is: “the world’s best last chance to get runaway climate change under control” and the actions agreed there are certain to have a significant and far reaching impact on nations, industries, businesses and people across the globe.
What does it mean for the automotive industry?
There is no question at this point that climate change is one of the most pressing issues for humanity in the modern age, with global temperatures forecast to rise by at least 1.5 degrees between now and 2040 [1]. It’s this impending change that COP26 is aiming to control and to do so will require radical changes in industries across the globe. The automotive industry is no different and is one that currently has an undeniable impact on our environment.
Cars account for just over 18% of UK emissions and this is steadily dropping. But with the Government setting ambitious net zero targets by 2050 and the ban on the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles coming into effect on 2030, this figure needs to drop dramatically and drop quickly.
A further 17% of UK emissions come from businesses so you can start to see the impact of automotive businesses in the UK on our climate.
It’s critical then for the industry to not only reduce its own carbon emissions but also those of the vehicles we are manufacturing and selling.
The Road to 2030
Whilst we’re recording a massive surge in consumer demand for electric (boosted by the recent fuel shortage/panic buying), our data suggests we remain a long way off from where we need to be to comfortably reach the government’s admirable, but ambitious, 2030 targets. That’s because EVs, both new and used, remain prohibitively expensive for all but the most affluent car buyer - limited to those who can afford the ‘green premium’. What’s more, concerns over range and infrastructure still prevail (read more on consumer EV sentiments in our recent EV Update report).
To discuss how the industry can overcome these challenges, and kick-start mass EV adoption across the UK, our commercial director, Ian Plummer, will be a joining a panel of experts at a dedicated event as part of this year’s COP26. Taking place on the 10th November -’transport day’ - Ian will be joining senior figures from the UK Government, the SMMT, The Times and more.
You can watch the event live on the 10th November at 10:00 - 11:30 by registering here.
Sources