Today, more than ever, the issue of respect for the environment has taken on a significant dimension. That is why the Renault Group is deploying a proactive environmental strategy in conjunction with its stakeholders. Their objective? to be at the heart of the action. The automotive sector must change its production and use methods. A daily responsibility based on innovation, to prepare for a better future.
"Our approach is to anticipate and proactively manage environmental issues as opportunities for new services and technological innovations. "Jean Philippe Hermine, Director of Renault's Environmental Plan
The Renault group has built its strategy on the basis of its DNA as an innovative car manufacturer. From there, 3 major issues were identified:
The fight against global warming
Preservation of natural resources
The health
The car manufacturer is committed to respecting the climate by promoting "ZERO CO2" driving. Electric vehicles contribute to the energy transition in the automotive sector by reducing the use of fossil fuels (conventional fuels). According to the International Energy Agency, 7 million electric vehicles in use worldwide could save 40,000 barrels of oil per day by 2020.
In this desire to accelerate the ecological transition, Renault can count on a solid partnership with WWF France, which has been working for three years to accelerate the transition of mobility through its vision of "less, better and differently", driven by its advocacy actions with political decision-makers, its transformational partnerships with economic actors and by the support of local authorities. WWF is a major player in the fight to protect the environment and its partnership with the Renault automotive group is based on a common vision: tomorrow's mobility will be based on the transition from the historical model of the individual and fossil car to a more sustainable, i. e. more shared mobility - in particular through the deployment of mobility services such as car sharing and carpooling - and more electric, based on renewable energy sources - whose integration is facilitated by the services provided by batteries in electric vehicles.
As part of this partnership, WWF France and the Renault Group conducted a first study on the island of Porto Santo in Portugal, in order to test in real life the synergies between the development of electric vehicles and their services to the grid, with the development of renewable energies. The objective: to ensure optimal benefits in terms of the exploitation of renewable energies and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on a territorial scale.
Renault did not stop there. For example, at the Curitiba plant in Brazil, Renault opted for a water-soluble paint process and machining facilities that do not discharge into the water. In Romania, they have set up a cutting workshop to limit the consumption of materials and the release of pollutants. In Bursa, Turkey, and at the Maubeuge plant that produces Kangoo, they recycle runoff water and reuse it in the industrial process of the installations. All these initiatives are intended to be replicated in all Renault industrial sites.
While Renault has been able to impose a strong environmental strategy, this has not been without consequences for the brand's image and the perception that consumers may have had. Indeed, consumers are increasingly attentive to the sustainability of brands, and they expect them to act and communicate on these issues. The environmental impact of the products they consume is a major concern in 2019. Consumers want to be reassured about the integrity and commitment of companies. They tend to favour companies that demonstrate a strong social, cultural or political positioning, but more particularly environmentally friendly companies. According to a study conducted by Accenture Strategy on the adoption of electric vehicles, consumers said that environmental concerns were their main reason for buying an electric vehicle.
Thus, CSR can be a real lever for brands and can have positive consequences on performance and competitiveness. It is also necessary to be able to communicate sincerely about what is the subject of a real commitment.
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