Australia’s Climate Council says five car companies are responsible for more climate pollution than some Australian coal mines.
Transport is Australia’s fastest growing source of climate pollution, with cars, vans and utes making up almost two-thirds of transport pollution, the council says of its recent study.
The Climate Council says Toyota’s 2023 new car sales are estimated to produce more climate pollution in a year than 46 big coal mines, while the 2023 car sales of four other big brands – Ford, Hyundai, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, and Mazda – “also put them on par with dozens of dirty, climate-wrecking coal mines”.
The council says its figures are calculated as if the most emissions intensive variant was purchased.
“The cars these multinational corporations sell are responsible for as much climate pollution in a year as dozens of big, dirty coal mines,” says Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie.
“Right now, they are getting off scot-free because that pollution isn’t being regulated.
“It is no surprise that the ‘Filthy Five’ car companies like Toyota and Mazda have been some of the most vocal critics of regulating vehicle pollution,” says McKenzie.
“They’ve used Australia as a dumping ground for their most polluting vehicles for years, while offering more efficient vehicles in countries that have regulation.
“That’s why Australian vehicles use 20% more petrol than American vehicles, which we pay for with our well-being and at the hip pocket.
“The transport industry needs to pull its weight in cutting climate pollution,” says McKenzie, adding that starts with the ‘Filthy Five’ giving Australians more access to cleaner cars that are cheaper to run.
Climate Council advocacy head Dr Jennifer Rayner says; “All of these major car brands have made public commitments to reduce climate pollution from their fleets.
“At the same time, they are trying to water down an effective New Vehicle Efficiency Standard that could help them get there.”
“The ‘Filthy Five’ are already selling a wide range of lower and zero emissions cars overseas.
“We need strong rules now to make them bring these cars to Australia as well, so our new vehicles are no longer competing with coal mines when it comes to how much pollution they pump into our air, our lungs and our climate.”
Click here for more Climate Council information on the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard.
