Introduction: The Automotive Sustainability Report 2023 highlights the progress made by the UK automotive industry in the face of the challenging year of 2022. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry showed resilience and recovery, focusing on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. This blog will summarize the essential findings and initiatives outlined in the report.
Environmental Performance:
- Average new car CO2 tailpipe emissions decreased by 6.9%, reflecting the industry’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) saw a significant increase in market share, reaching 16.6% in the new car market and 5.9% in the new van market. This demonstrates the growing demand for zero-emission vehicles.
- Overall, CO2 emissions decreased by 2.7%, indicating progress in reducing the automotive sector’s environmental impact.
- Energy consumption per vehicle increased by 2.4%. This can be attributed to the shift towards more intensive manufacturing processes.
- CO2 emissions per vehicle produced decreased by 2.8%, showcasing the industry’s efforts to improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprint.
- The report also highlights a 4.7% increase in on-site renewable energy generation, with 46GWh produced. This demonstrates the industry’s commitment to sustainable energy sources.
- Water consumption per vehicle increased by 11.3%, indicating the need for further focus on water conservation efforts.
Social Performance:
- The automotive industry delivered 144,176 training days to staff, emphasizing the commitment to employee development and upskilling.
- Sector-dependent jobs increased by 3.4%, showcasing the industry’s contribution to employment and economic growth.
- Lost time incidents increased by 12.3%, indicating the need for continued focus on workplace safety.
- The proportion of women in the automotive workforce rose to 13.4%, reflecting efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.
- The industry saw a significant increase in new apprentices and trainees, with a growth of 45.3%. This highlights the commitment to nurturing talent and investing in the future workforce.
Economic Performance:
- Despite the challenges faced in 2022, the UK automotive industry produced more electrified vehicles than ever, contributing to economic growth.
- The report emphasizes the potential for the sector to deliver further economic growth by building more zero-emission models.
- The industry’s commitment to sustainability is aligned with becoming an electric mobility leader with the introduction of the UK Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate for cars and vans.
- The report calls for a strategy to drive the rapid upscaling of UK battery production and the shift to electric vehicles, leveraging the industry’s strengths in skilled workforce, engineering excellence, innovation, and productivity.
Conclusion: The Automotive Sustainability Report 2023 highlights the progress made by the UK automotive industry in the face of challenges. The industry has shown resilience and commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The report emphasizes the need for continued efforts to reduce carbon emissions, promote diversity and inclusion, ensure workplace safety, and drive economic growth by producing zero-emission vehicles. By focusing on these areas, the UK automotive industry aims to lead the way in sustainable mobility and contribute to a greener and more prosperous future.
(Note: The information in this blog is sourced from the provided document .) https://www.smmt.co.uk/reports/sustainability/
