Automotive
The automotive sector has an important role to play in the transition to a nature-positive world. With a global annual production of 94 million vehicles in 2023, the sector contributes 3% of global GDP output, and up to 7% in fast-growing markets such as China and India. The sector is expected to grow at a rate of 6 to 7%, driven by a rising global middle class, the expansion of emerging markets, and shifting consumer preferences.
In particular, the shift towards sustainable mobility has transformed the automotive market over recent years, with electric vehicle sales rising from 1 million to 14 million, and half of the electric cars on the road today located in China. This shift is supported by governments across the world, and 43 countries have signed a declaration accelerating the transition to 100% zero emission cars and vans.
The sector actions serve as a guide to transform business practices and value chains and ensure the automotive sector plays its part in halting and reversing nature loss by 2030 - the mission at the heart of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
The overview and report were led by the World Economic Forum with input from Oliver Wyman.
Scroll down to read the Automotive China Deep Dive.
Impacts on nature
Automotive companies should direct their efforts towards addressing the most significant impacts on nature in their operations and value chains, namely:
Pollution
Water use
Land use change and ecosystem disturbance
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Dependencies on nature
The automotive sector is dependent on ecosystem services to function and grow. Companies rely heavily on:
Freshwater
Climate regulation, soil and sediment retention, and flood protection
Metal, mineral and energy resources
Cultivated biological resources
