Toyota Ranked as Worst Automaker Against Climate Rules, Tesla Leads Advocacy for Favorable Policies
The latest findings from InfluenceMap’s Automakers and Climate Policy Advocacy report have shed light on the environmental practices of major automakers around the world. According to the report, Toyota has been identified as the worst automaker in terms of advocating against climate rules, while Tesla has emerged as a leader in advocating for favorable climate policies within the industry.
InfluenceMap regularly ranks automakers and car industry associations based on their advocacy efforts for or against climate policy goals. These rankings not only reflect automakers’ electric vehicle ambitions but also indicate the extent to which each carmaker is working to hinder government efforts to address pollution and climate change.
Automakers often engage in lobbying activities through their membership in trade associations, which allow them to collectively advocate for their interests and strengthen their influence. InfluenceMap evaluates automakers based on various criteria, including the amount of lobbying they conduct, their electric vehicle manufacturing plans, their membership in trade associations, and the effectiveness of their lobbying efforts.
Despite being at the top of the list, Tesla received a “B” rating for its low involvement intensity in advocacy efforts. While Tesla generally supports positive climate policies and is a member of groups advocating for such policies, the company’s level of engagement in advocacy activities is lower compared to other organizations.
The report also revealed that most automakers, with the exception of Tesla, actively opposed at least one law supporting electric vehicles. This opposition, coupled with their overall negative engagement levels, led ten out of fifteen automakers to receive a final grade of D or D+ in the report.
Toyota, in particular, was ranked the lowest in the research due to its strong opposition to climate legislation supporting electric cars in various regions, including the US, UK, and Australia. This stance has positioned Toyota as a prime force against climate policies aimed at promoting electric vehicles.
Research released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in April 2022 highlighted the role of electric vehicles in slowing down the rate of climate change by reducing emissions. The report emphasized the importance of continued efforts to accelerate the development and adoption of EVs to achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Overall, the InfluenceMap report underscores the critical role automakers play in shaping climate policies and the need for increased advocacy for sustainable practices within the industry. As the automotive sector continues to evolve, the actions of major automakers will have a significant impact on global efforts to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability.