Greenpeace vs Greenwashed Cars

Image: MrLomo

The major car manufacturers are all talking green but is it more than just hype? Greenpeace has investigated how well they're really doing in facing up to the challenge of climate change.

One interesting example is Toyota. More than one million people drive a Prius - a hybrid car that has changed the way the world thinks about sustainable motoring. Unfortunately however, Toyota is also responsible for continuing to supply many more cars which are environmentally damaging such as their large luxury sedans, monster Landcruisers and RAV4s. So it's important to consider the entire fleet's emissions. Click on the image below to check out Greenpeace's report on all the major European manufacturers.





















What is the share of cars in climate change?
Transport contributes approximately 13% of total global greenhouse gas emissions of which CO2 is the largest part. Two thirds of that comes from road transport. At present CO2 emissions from road transport and aviation are growing twice as fast as overall CO2 emissions. It has been estimated that by 2050 emissions from transport could be between 30 and 50% of total global emissions.

Can emissions of CO2 / km be improved enough to provide a solution?
Yes. The car industry has been making improvements in fuel efficiency for two decades, but has chosen to use the gains to power bigger and heavier cars rather than to deliver lower emitting models. The concept cars and niche models shown at car shows and in advertising demonstrate the gains which can be made but these are not the cars the industry sells in large numbers.

The problem is not the lack of technology, but the composition of the industry's fleets.

Why don't we see more cars with low CO2 emissions on the streets?
Car companies make the biggest profit on heavier and premium vehicles. They talk green but their green models have tiny production runs and are rarely pushed on the showroom floor.

What does Greenpeace think about Hybrids?
Hybrid cars reduce fuel consumption when in city traffic by switching to run on an electric motor. The car then switches to a petrol or diesel engine for longer distance trips e.g. outside cities. Smaller cars with hybrid engines can be extremely efficient, but they do not provide significant reduction in fuel consumption when applied to bigger engines or heavy vehicles like premium cars or SUVs.

They also perform badly on long distance driving where there is less chance to gain energy from braking.

What does Greenpeace think about electric cars?
Fully electric cars run with a level of emissions related to their source of electricity. To be truly sustainable electric cars need to be powered by clean and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Greenpeace does not consider nuclear power to be clean or sustainable.

What does Greenpeace think about bio-fuels?
Biofuels are very problematic. In many cases they do not contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions due to the emissions caused by their production, often related to land use and deforestation. The availability of real sustainable biofuels is limited and preference should be given to using them for power generation which is a more efficient use of these fuels.

Does Greenpeace want to get rid of all cars?
No. We want the industry to provide us with better, more sustainable cars, and to commit to constantly reducing the environmental impact of it's fleet. Cars play a part in our lives the way they do with anyone else's.

Is Greenpeace against all big cars or off road vehicles?
Some jobs need a powerful car with off-road, towing or other similar capabilities. Greenpeace believes people should choose the most energy efficient car that meets their transport needs.

What car should I buy?
Before buying a car, think about whether you really need it or not. If you decide you really need a car then buy the car with the lowest CO2 emissions which meets your needs and tell the salesman about the role climate concern played in making your decision. As a car owner, drive responsibly, using other transport alternatives when possible.

What can I do to help?

• If you are a car owner drive responsibly, and use other transport alternatives when possible.
• Offset your car's yearly C02 emissions right now through a website like Greenfleet or Origin Energy.

Adam Valvasori - Values Manager