UK car and van manufacturing has made significant progress in cutting CO2 emissions, waste and energy use, the latest research from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The eleventh annual sustainability report from the society details the latest findings, which includes that CO2 emissions and energy use continued to fall in 2009 down 20 per cent car emissions while average new car emissions fell to their lowest ever level of 149.5g/km, down 21.2 per cent over the past 10 years. These achievements came despite a 30 per cent drop in vehicle production throughout the last year, which impacted on the per vehicle reduction in energy use.
Despite challenging economic conditions, last year, the automotive sector accounted for £23.8 billion of the UK’s total export values and today, still employs over 700,000 people.
In the last ten years, huge strides have been made to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles produced in the UK throughout the life cycle. Improvements in production processes mean energy used to produce cars is down 24 per cent, water use is down 45 per cent and 66 per cent less waste enters landfill sites.
"The motor industry demonstrated its strength and resilience through the economic crisis and now has a major role to play in a rebalanced economy. The recent string of global investments in the UK-based development and production of low carbon technologies are indicative of the longer-term strength of the sector," said SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt.
The report shows vehicle manufacturers continue to make significant reductions in the environmental impact of their products throughout the whole lifecycle of the vehicle, with 12 times more waste recycled than ending up in landfill and significant development in ELV (End of Life Vehicle) infrastructure to enable 95 per cent recovery in 2015.
Speaking at the parliamentary launch later today, keynote speaker, head of climate change strategy, Geoff Richards, will also outline how the work of the Automotive Council, a strategic partnership between industry and government is delivering progress in the transition towards ultra-low carbon vehicles, creating opportunities for the UK supply base.
The eleventh annual report collected data from signatories representing 94 per cent of vehicle production in the UK. The full report can be downloaded from the SMMT web site www.smmt.co.uk
