Thu 18 November 2021
View all news
Philip Sellwood CBE (Board Chair):
"Everyone will have a different view of the event but above all the pledges made, which were many, the overarching achievement of Glasgow has been the mood of private sector businesses that change will happen fast. The greatest worry is that governments will not keep up the pace needed to match this shift.”
Claire Haigh, Founder & CEO, Greener Transport Solutions:
“The world is now focused like never before on the devastating impacts of climate change which are set to escalate if we don’t take urgent action. COP26 has kept the possibility of 1.5 alive and generated momentum for change. Countries must come to COP27 with more ambitious NDCs.
"A striking feature this year has been the sharp escalation in public concern. The challenge will be to translate this into tangible actions. We can’t just green business as usual. We need transformative change. For example, as well as clean technologies we need to reduce the sheer volume of traffic on our roads.”
Gerry Kearney, Chief Executive, BVRLA:
"We are at a pivotal moment in the climate emergency and COP26 shone a light on the massive issues we are all facing. For the fleet and mobility services sector, the conference played a vital role in showing how our actions are contributing to the bigger picture.
“COP26 must have a lasting legacy. The cross-industry collaboration must continue to deliver meaningful progress, and the BVRLA is looking forward to being actively involved every step of the way.”
Howard Porter, Chief Executive, BEAMA:
“The targets agreed at COP for the elimination of fossil fuel vehicles is to be very much welcomed. However, the target date is almost certainly too late and was not supported by all manufacturers. In the UK we must maintain our targets for 2030, and 2035 and therefore be one of the leading countries in this transition. I believe that the car drivers of the UK and elsewhere will drive the market more rapidly than some governments."
Rosie Pearson, Corporate Director, Business Development, Local Partnerships LLP:
“COP26 heightened global recognition and awareness of the impacts of climate change. It highlighted the impact of climate change across the globe: there is nowhere to hide.
“Change needs to happen at scale and pace and we can all play a part as global, as well as local, citizens. Whilst leaders and politicians will change through time, there is an important role for everyone in tackling the crisis. It’s about making informed conscious choices rather than defaulting to convenience. Small changes by many will achieve positive impacts of significant magnitude.”
Prof Greg Marsden, Institute for Transport Studies, Leeds:
“COP26 has reinforced the market driving position which the UK is taking in shifting to electricity and hydrogen.
“There remains a reluctance by UK government to acknowledge that however quick we go it is not fast enough to avoid the need for big behavioural shifts and that this too could be an opportunity as well as a necessity. The position of cheaper motoring costs through electrification AND mode shift is implausible denial.”
John Lippe, Director - City Engagement, Ford Mobility:
"The COP26 Summit shone a spotlight directly on our climate emergency. Whilst it represented some progress and a partial success, there is clearly still much more work to do and an urgent need to accelerate our collective efforts. Ford is fully committed to playing its part. Together with cities, governments and other businesses, we are a proud signatory of the summit pledge to work together toward 100 percent zero-emission cars and vans globally by 2040, and in leading markets no later than 2035, as part of the RouteZero initiative.
"By 2050, our ambition is to achieve carbon neutrality globally, focusing on vehicle usage, our supply base and our facilities. The electrification of cars and vans represents the most transformative change for the auto industry in over 100 years. New zero emissions vehicle technologies combined with fundamental changes to the way that vehicles are developed, manufactured, distributed and used will support the path to a net zero future. COP26 underlined just how essential and urgent that task is.”
Zemo members: Don't miss our post-COP26 webinar: 'Good COP? Bad COP? What does COP26 mean for us?' Tuesday 23 November, 4pm. Full details here.
Related Links
< Back to news list