At 19.26 pm, on 12 December 2015, the most important Climate Change agreement, since the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, was reached after 14 days of harsh negotiations at the COP21 in Paris.
This agreement might seem at first for fleet managers a future preoccupation. Indeed, it always takes a delay between the end of a UN conference and the beginning of clear government policies or corporate improvements to reduce further the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), among which CO2 is considerable. In the case of global warming though, actions must be taken now. Why? Simply because there is no time for adaptation if temperature goes beyond +1,5 °C compared to pre-industrial levels. Anticipation is crucial ! CO2 stays in the atmosphere for an average of 100 years. This means that even if not any more carbon dioxide is emitted by tomorrow, the temperature of the earth will still rise by 0,6 °C the next years and the climate risks will multiply.
Anticipation for the fleet industry is an opportunity to develop a competitive and sustainable vehicle fleet today to benefit of all the advantages it brings, and be a pioneer in the sector, tomorrow. Flexibility, cost-competitiveness and more mobility for employees is what a sustainable car fleet can bring.
Why the Paris Agreement is relevant for the fleet sector?
- There is only one planet, and limit global warming is one of the most essential tasks of the next years for the global community and all GHG emitters, including the car industry and the corporate sector. For the first time 195 industrialized and developing states, 196 with the EU, agreed to fight climate change and limit, as stated in the second Article of the Paris Agreement, “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels”. At least 55 countries emitting 55% of the world GHG emissions have to attain the COP21 targets after they ratify the Deal from 22 April 2016. Most importantly, the two first big CO2 producers: China and U.S., committed to reduce their emissions. The first, by 65% by 2030 and the second by 28% by 2025, compared to their 2005 levels.
- The EU has always been a leader, since COP 3 in Kyoto, regarding ambitious climate policies and aims now at least 40% less GHG by 2030. Concretely for new car fleets it means to emit 95 grams of CO2 per kilometre by 2020.
- Develop a clean fleet conscience in this climate change context fight is necessary. Still, this doesn’t have to be perceived as a constraint, but rather as an opportunity. First, because it is a chance to complete the “undeniable” shift towards fleet mobility management with more low-CO2 corporate initiatives flourishing. Second, because in the future alternative engines are only going to become more performant, thus it is interesting to think already about the possibility of including them more into car fleets. Finally, for companies a sustainable and climate-friendly image can only be positive for enlarging business possibilities.
What can fleet management do for climate ?
Fleet managers have within their hands a key opening the door to tomorrow’s efficient green, competitive – and of course mobile too – fleets.
Reduce the company’s energy consumption and Carbon footprint by applying a more clean vehicles fleet management strategy;
Improve the company’s green image through the choice of an eco-friendly and alternative engines car fleet;
Effectively settle pilot projects with alternative fuel cars to find which type fits best each employee’s or the company’s needs: CNG, Hybrids, Fuel-Cell or EVs;
A fleet composed partially of alternative powertrains will reduce operating costs by reducing fuel consumption. The equations less fuel = less spending for the company and less fuel = less CO2 for Climate always works. If a green(er) vehicle fleet strategy helps saving the climate and saving fleet business money, then why wait !