Relive the IFMI Digital Masterclass: How to reduce your CO2 footprint

Reducing your vehicle fleet’s CO₂ is good for your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). And if done right, it will lower the cost of your employee mobility and future-proof your fleet. That became clear in the latest IFMI Digital Masterclass on 7 October.

Driven by CSR targets, legislative and fiscal pressure and an increased public awareness about climate change and the care for the environment, international fleet and mobility managers need to focus on reducing the CO₂ footprint of their vehicle fleet. But the current pandemic is causing uncertainty with implications for new strategy decisions and hesitation for investments in innovative fleet and mobility developments.

Four chapters, one goal

The Digital Masterclass that was live on 7 October explained in 4 chapters how corporate fleets should continue lowering their emission levels. The IFMI is an organisation of Fleet Europe, in partnership with leading fleet management and leasing companies ALD, Athlon, Arval, and LeasePlan and sponsored by SEAT.

1. Why is a CO₂ strategy a must have?

“CO₂ is at the heart of Europe’s political, economic and automotive agenda, with the New Green Deal that aims for carbon neutrality by 20250 and the CO₂ emission performance standards for the automotive industry.” Hence, developing a CO₂ strategy will give consistent direction to key functional areas in your company, also to fleet, explained Alix Truyens of ALD Automotive.

2. How to benchmark your CO₂ emissions?

“It is important to understand your fleet’s CO₂ trend-line as it has environmental, governmental and financial impact.” Now the transition from NEDC to WLTP will remain a challenge when relying on car manufacturer fuel consumption numbers, said David Wefers Bettink of LeasePlan. It’s better to use actual fuel consumption figures, either through the use of fuel cards or via the deployment of telematics technology.

3. Which insights can you draw from CO₂ emissions data?

“Most businesses currently tend to take a generally simplistic approach to averaging CO₂. I strongly recommend taking a multi-layered or segmented approach to provide much more meaningful data and success,” explained Mark Taylor of Athlon International. The more segments of data available, the more accurate and relevant the averages will be which will enable a strong strategic approach to deliver targeted CO₂ reduction.

4. How can you reach your emission targets for 2021, 2023, 2025?

“Have a clear vision first, engage with stakeholders and define measurable targets towards driver satisfaction, TCO, and CSR.” A recommendation is to get to understand the new employee mobility behaviour with Covid-19 and use this as a new starting point for the implementation of new and multimodal mobility, said Shams-Dine El Mouden of Arval.

Rewatch this IFMI Digital Masterclass on top of this article.