UK car production achieves “lowest ever” carbon footprint

The UK automotive industry has reduced its carbon footprint to the lowest level on record, with a reduction of 11.2% in 2021.

The UK automotive industry has reduced its carbon footprint to the lowest level on record, with a reduction of 11.2% in 2021.

Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) latest Sustainability Report shows that automotive production and the supply chain emitted 81,095 fewer tonnes of CO2 in 2021 compared with the previous year.

UK car production in 2021 fell 6.7% to only 859,575 units, the worst total since 1956. Output was 61,353 less than 2020, which was affected by coronavirus lockdowns, and 34.0% below pre-pandemic 2019.

Despite reduced production, the industry was still able to improve its environmental efficiency, with a 6.1% reduction in water used per vehicle produced, and a 2.6% reduction in waste going to landfill year on year.

The SMMT’s research shows that 96.2% less waste per vehicle goes to landfill than did at the start of the millennium. In addition, since 2015 the industry has ensured 95% of a vehicle by weight goes through a takeback network to be re-used, recycled or recovered.

Specialist and low volume manufacturers were even more successful in delivering sustainable production, emitting 26.6% less CO2 per vehicle produced and sending no waste to landfill at all. Water use per vehicle also fell by 11.6%, while overall production increased by 40.2%.

Article courtesy AM Online – read full article here https://bit.ly/3zyOrrG