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Our net zero
commitment

 

Net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gases produced vs the amount removed from the atmosphere. We reach net zero when the amount we add is no more than the amount taken away.

 

The UK Government has a target to become net zero
by 2050. As a responsible business, we aim to achieve it
ahead of this: our near-term targets are to halve carbon
emissions before the end of 2030, before fully achieving
net zero across our entire value chain by 2040.

 

We have signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative (‘SBTi’) Business Ambition for 1.5°C. By doing so, we are committed to achieving net zero before 2050 and to reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement goals. Our goal at Auto Trader is to achieve net zero earlier than this and we are committing to achieving net zero across our entire value chain (Scopes 1, 2 and 3) by 2040 and every year thereafter. Our near and long-term targets have been validated by the SBTi, with our near-term targets forming a core component of our net zero strategy.

We have committed to:

 

  • Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% before
    2030 from a 2020 base year
  • Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions by 46.2% over the
    same timeframe
  • Reduce absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 90% by 2040
    from a 2020 base year

How we’re taking action

To meet the SBTi’s definition of net zero, we need to reduce our emissions by at least 90% and then use carbon removal initiatives to neutralise any limited emissions that cannot yet be eliminated. It is therefore essential that we fully understand the source of our emissions and undertake targeted actions.

 

We have built on the work to understand our full Scope 3 emissions across all entities within the Group, in addition to our Scope 1 and 2 emissions, providing us with a better understanding of our carbon emissions throughout our value chain so that we can identify where we need to focus our efforts.

 

We have made further progress during the year to reduce our direct carbon footprint:

  • our offices are predominantly on renewable energy tariffs and our data centres
    have been migrated to the cloud
  • our offices are predominantly on renewable energy tariffs
  • we have installed solar panels at our Hemel Hempstead office
  • we are working towards switching our fleet vehicles to be EV or low emission

Addressing our Scope 3 emissions is a bigger challenge and something we have less control over. The make up of our carbon emissions is heavily weighted towards Scope 3, and within that purchased goods and services, business commuting, use of sold products and employee commuting are our major contributors. In order to meet our 1.5°C commitments and net zero ambition, we will undertake targeted actions. Within our Scope 3 emissions are emissions relating to the projected lifetime emissions of vehicles temporarily held on balance sheet by Autorama – we expect the volume of vehicles held on balance sheet to reduce over time.  Another key focus area is on supplier engagement and working with our procurement team to understand the emissions of our suppliers so we can engage with them further on their sustainability plans. From a business travel perspective, we are reducing our fleet of vehicles and are aiming to switch any remaining business vehicles to EV or low emission. We are also encouraging rail travel over flying where possible for business travel.

 

The initiatives helping us
achieve our long-term targets

We monitor various metrics and targets to ensure we are on track
to achieve our aim of being net zero.

We want to minimise our impact on the environment, thereby protecting our business from the impact of climate change.

 

Our strategy is to put the brakes on carbon, not only across our own operations
and supply chain, but also using our capabilities and voice to influence the
automotive industry to support others in the transition to a low carbon
economy and take urgent action to tackle climate change.

 

As well as reducing our own emissions, we are also raising awareness with both
our customers and consumers. We continue to focus on sharing our data and
insights with retailers, the industry and Government to help inform public policy
and regulation to support the mass adoption of electric vehicles.

SOME OF THE ACTIONS WE'RE TAKING

Switch 100% of our fleet vehicles to be EV or low emission

Fully migrate all of our data centres to to the cloud

Reduce overall electricity use by 50% and procure 100% renewable energy for our remaining needs

Achieve a 50% reduction on our business travel emissions

Achieve a 50% reduction in commuting emissions

Require 50% of suppliers to have meaningful carbon reduction targets

Our total CO₂ emissions1

2024

2023
(base year)

2022


UK

Global

UK

Global

UK

Global


Scope 1

258

258

342

363

276

294

Scope 2 (location based)

205

205

297

310

368

385


Total (Scopes 1 and 2)

463

463

639

673

644

679


KwH (‘000s)

 

2,473

2,473

2,714

2,775

2,618

2,767

PG&S

22,949

19,537

23,562

Capital goods

2,262

498

794

Fuel & energy-related activities

74

133

196

Upstream transportation & distribution

-

72

115

Waste generated in operations

107

5

16

Business travel

1,041

365

63

Employee commuting & working from home

982

1,746

1,004

Upstream leased assets

-

129

106

Use of sold products2

70,643

56,323

102,807

End of life treatment of sold products

383

31

50

Investments

37

26

27


Scope 3 (total)

98,478

78,865

128,740


Total (Scopes 1, 2 and 3)

98,941

79,538

129,419


Revenue 3

£570.9m

£510.4m

£491.1m

Tonnes of CO2 equivalent per FTE 4

80.2

68.5

107.9

Tonnes of CO2 equivalent per £million turnover 3

173.3

155.8

263.5


Scope 2 (market based)

10

3

91

% renewable

95%

99%

76%


  1. Scopes 1, 2 & 3 are reported in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent
  2. The methodology for calculating use of sold goods has changed in 2024. We will recalculate 2023 on the same basis in the coming year
  3. This includes Autorama revenue for the period 1 April to 31 March for each period reported
  4. Based on average number of employees in the Group throughout the year 2024: 1,233 (2023: 1,160, 2022: 1,199). The average number of employees included Autorama FTEs for the period 1 April to 31 March for each period reported

Also in this section

Supporting the automotive industry

Our aim is to support the industry in its transition towards the mass adoption of electric vehicles (‘EVs’).

Read More

Supporting consumers

Our aim is to support consumers to make more environmentally friendly vehicle choices and to be the number one electric vehicle destination in the UK.

Read More

TCFD reporting

We support the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (‘TCFD’) and its recommendations and are committed to assessing the impacts of climate risks and opportunities across our operations and supply chains.

Read More

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