In a concerted effort led by the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) and Manufacture 2030 (M2030), major automakers and suppliers, including DENSO, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, Magna, and Toyota Motor North America, are joining forces to engage nearly 20,000 automotive supplier manufacturing sites worldwide.
The aim is to enhance consistency in Scope 3 emissions reporting and effectively reduce carbon emissions within the automotive supply chain. Scope 3 emissions arise from activities outside the reporting organisation's direct control but are influenced by its operations within the value chain. The value chain encompasses both upstream and downstream activities of the organisation.
The Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) serves as a collaborative platform for global automotive manufacturers and their suppliers, fostering a collective vision of an automotive industry with positive environmental impact. In collaboration with M2030, this initiative introduces the Automotive Climate Action Questionnaire, a standardised template designed to streamline reporting processes and reduce reporting burdens by establishing common questions and definitions.
Stakeholder Engagement
Kellen Mahoney, Director of Suppliers Partnership for the Environment, emphasises the importance of stakeholder engagement across the supply chain. The initiative underscores the commitment of automotive industry leaders to develop shared tools and educational resources supporting carbon reporting and reduction efforts while adhering to relevant antitrust laws. The questionnaire is hosted through the M2030 programme, offering participating suppliers access to energy-focused best practices, learning tools, support services, and an expert network to facilitate decarbonisation endeavours.
Comprehensive Support
This programme complements existing environmental sustainability resources developed by SP, including the Scope 3 Maturity Benchmark initiative in collaboration with Proxima. Additional industry guidance documents and tools, along with forthcoming supplier capacity building programmes, are slated for launch later this year.
Expanding Participation
Since its inception, the programme has witnessed substantial growth, expanding from over 12,000 invited supplier sites in 2023 to nearly 20,000 sites presently invited to participate. This increase reflects a concerted effort to engage a broader spectrum of stakeholders in the automotive supply chain.
Toyota Motor North America, DENSO, Magna, and Manufacture 2030 executives express their commitment to sustainability and the significance of collaborative efforts in driving measurable carbon reductions across the automotive industry. Kevin Butt of Toyota reiterates the importance of collective action in achieving carbon neutrality, while Denise Carlson of DENSO underscores the need for alignment throughout the supply chain.
Ahmed Elganzouri of Magna highlights the value of M2030's platform in supporting sustainability initiatives, and Martin Chilcott of Manufacture 2030 stresses the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in achieving science-based carbon reduction targets.
Contributions From Indian Suppliers
For over a couple of years, several Indian automotive suppliers have been supporting Scope 3 emissions reporting of global companies. For example, in June 2022, Brakes India initiated the supply of green castings to Volvo Group. These castings are deployed in the production of engines powering Volvo’s commercial vehicles across various global regions. The green castings produced by Brakes India are certified by CII- Green Products & Services Council as the company utilises steel scrap, alloys and raw materials that are fully radioactive elements free. Furthermore, the plant operates on 100% green power from solar and wind. Moreover, it has eliminated the use of diesel by using Electric Ladle Preheater, a solution developed with AFECO India.
Kalyani Steel, via its SaarLoha plant, has been producing green steel starting March 2023 with a lion's share of production aimed at the export market. It has invested INR 400 crore which includes setting up an 83 MW renewable energy park, and some indirect investments.
Conclusion
The collaborative efforts spearheaded by SP, M2030, and key industry players underscore a collective commitment to environmental sustainability within the automotive sector. By standardizing reporting processes and fostering collaboration across the supply chain, the initiative aims to drive tangible reductions in carbon emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future for the automotive industry and beyond.
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