Only a few years ago, terms like “carbon neutrality,” “greenhouse gas” and “carbon footprint” were relegated to the world of scientists, environmentalists and green-leaning merchants.
Now they are on the lips of virtually every company in the global auto industry.
In boardrooms and shareholder presentations, in auto plants and component manufacturing settings from Tokyo to Paris, automotive executives and factory leaders are pursuing a shared goal: reducing their companies’ carbon footprints in the pursuit of cutting their individual CO2 emissions.
Automotive News looks at how this worldwide industry phenomenon has quickly taken shape and where it will lead automaking in the decade ahead.
--Lindsay Chappell
The world auto industry is attacking carbon emissions as a shared goal
Thu, Apr 27, 8:00 pm
![The world auto industry is attacking carbon emissions as a shared goal](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/crain/CQ33K2QDGNHD3K3LVXL3U3ZOZY.jpg)
No carmaker's corporate mission is complete without talk of carbon neutrality and a plan of action for cutting emissions. Companies are spending billions and upturning business as usual in pursuit of that goal.
Why suppliers are critical to reducing the auto industry's carbon footprint
Thu, Apr 27, 7:58 pm
![Why suppliers are critical to reducing the auto industrys carbon footprint](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/crain/ZFO5RIZBC5D7VLO4QI7BWSXLHA.jpg)
The auto industry is a major contributor to climate change. Automakers' plans to reduce the industry's carbon footprint will only work if they can get suppliers to come along.
How suppliers are rethinking their products, business plans and physical footprints to reduce carbon
Thu, Apr 27, 7:57 pm
![How suppliers are rethinking their products, business plans and physical footprints to reduce carbon](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/crain/TJHYI6AYPNBIHEUMMG4DH3ATYM.jpg)
Parts makers are re-imagining how they design buildings and what materials should go into their products in a bid to become more eco-friendly.
How suppliers are adjusting to automakers' carbon emission reduction targets
Thu, Apr 27, 7:48 pm
![How suppliers are adjusting to automakers carbon emission reduction targets](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/crain/I2NWMUU6FRALVOBRXMMXHV3K7E.jpg)
As automakers push suppliers to reduce their carbon footprints, the companies are responding by setting their own targets and coming up with new products and manufacturing processes.
Betting on new innovation in Europe
Thu, Apr 27, 7:45 pm
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European automakers have been working on reducing their carbon footprints through solar-powered plants, recycled metal and better methods of heating paint ovens.
Japan carmakers, from Toyota to Nissan and Honda, are attacking carbon by any means necessary
Thu, Apr 27, 7:43 pm
![Japan carmakers, from Toyota to Nissan and Honda, are attacking carbon by any means necessary](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/crain/UODTDUY3H5HUXB5LIXJGHTP554.jpg)
The quest by Japanese automakers to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 encompasses carbon-cutting car technologies, the rapid rollout of recharging stations and plans to recycle virtually every bit of a vehicle.
Auto industry is buckling down to decarbonize everything
Thu, Apr 27, 7:41 pm
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If U.S. regulation isn't driving the auto industry's efforts to decarbonize manufacturing plants and the supply chain, then what is?