What makes a sustainability leader? Meet carbon reduction champions, the Climate Group’s EV100 team

Jes Rutter

Transport is one of the highest emitting sectors in the world and, despite exponential growth in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, the pace of change is still not matching what is required to align the world with the Paris Agreement – let alone net-zero by 2050.

The Climate Group launched EV100 in 2017 in a bid to help businesses of all sizes and sectors to increase ambitions and accelerate action on decarbonising road transport. The scheme’s overarching aim is to make EVs “the new normal” for businesses and individuals by 2030 – a mission which has garnered the support of more than 60 companies to date.  

Companies which join EV100 commit to shift to EVs and to install charging points across their estates by 2030, in a way which is ambitious and practical for their context. Within the first year of the initiative’s launch, this commitment had been taken by 23 businesses operating across 66 countries, collectively accounting for more than 145,000 vehicles. It has since grown to cover more than 67 corporates and, as of February 2020, member businesses had deployed more than 80,000 EVs and 10,000 charging points.

Sectors represented within the EV100 cohort generate more than £750bn in revenue. Members include Ingka Group, BP, the Bank of America, Deutsche Post DHL, Mitie and Lloyds Banking Group. With this scale and reach, the initiative is effectively leveraging business leadership to build market demand for EVs.

Our panel of judges praised the way in which the initiative works internally with member companies, and in which it engages organisations beyond its membership with the EV revolution. The Climate Group hosts regular workshops to help members create a collective voice to engage policymakers and the automotive industry, and puts on webinars and events which open up the discussion and enable the sharing of best-practice advice. These events form a key part of the initiative’s mission to identify and overcome specific barriers to electric transport solutions.

They also recognised the ways in which EV100 helps its members to make electric transport the new norm for individual motorists and households as well as business operations. Member corporates collectively employ more than 630,000 people and are being supported to design supports like cash incentives and charging point installations. As such, they help EV use become a normal part of daily life, with early adopters acting as ambassadors.

EV100 has additionally gained a number of wins beyond the business sphere. It was officially endorsed by the Indian Government in 2019, with ministers calling it a crucial platform for joining up the EV agenda, and was endorsed by more than 39 other governments at COP24. The UK Government is currently acting as the international ambassador for EV100 in its position as COP26 co-host. It is using its diplomatic networks to promote bold EV targets and policies globally ahead of the summit in November 2021 and, since being announced as host, has moved the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales forward to 2035.

The results of EV100 are tangible and, should it continue to grow as expected, The Climate Group expects the initiative to mitigate more than 6.6 million metric tonnes of CO22 by 2030 – equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of 1.9 million UK homes. The public health benefit from reduced air pollution, and the economic benefit of growing the EV sector, are also sizeable.

What edie’s judges said: “It’s great to see The Climate Group mobilising so many companies to come together to catalyse the EV market. Progress to date has been impressive, and this initiative has the potential to make a material difference to the acceleration of EV deployment.”

Are you our next winner?

Now entering their 14th year for 2021, the RSA-accredited Sustainability Leaders Awards are a unique opportunity to shout about the achievements you and your company have made during this challenging year. 

In a digital event on 3 February 2021, entrants will get the chance to celebrate virtually with leaders from across the sustainability, CSR and energy space. Some exciting new categories have been added for 2021 to recognise excellence across the spectrum of sustainable business. 

The 2021 Sustainability Leaders are now OPEN for entries. The entry deadline is Friday 30 October 2020, so don’t miss your chance to get the recognition you deserve. The Awards will then take place virtually on the night of Wednesday 3 February 2021.

— ENTER THE 2021 SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS AWARDS HERE —

edie Staff