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Recent RACV research has shown over 80% motorists are concerned about the environmental impacts of cars. This is greater than any time since research commenced in 1995.

In terms of Australia’s overall greenhouse gas emissions, passenger vehicles contribute about 8% (compared to 50% for stationary energy production, 16% for agriculture and 6% for all other transport including all air, land and sea transportation modes).

Arguably, contributions of embodied energy in vehicle production for instance or the refinery processes used for fuel, or even in roads construction and maintenance should also be added to this figure.

If taking into account one’s personal carbon footprint, the AGO website indicates that travel for shopping, leisure and commuting account for an average 33% of emissions at the household level -- a significant proportion of which is via private car use.

Illustration: Jamie Tufrey

Whilst observing the primary objective of sustaining mobility for all Australians, RACV recognises the detrimental impacts of motoring on the environment and in response has developed a number of key initiatives to address these impacts.

Peugeot diesel hybrid - rated at 74 grams/km - the average of new cars sold in Australia is 230 grams per km!

Fuel Saving Tips

The more fuel your car uses, the more it impacts on the environment. Following these 10 tips will reduce your fuel costs, air pollution and greenhouse gases by up to 30%.

1. accelerate gently

2. flow smoothly with the traffic

3. avoid excessive speeds

4. avoid lengthy idling

5. avoid congested traffic and driving more than necessary

6. keep your car well maintained

7. keep tyres properly inflated

8. use the air conditioner sparingly

9. minimise wind resistance

10. remove unnecessary weight from the car

Another important tip is to plan your trips. Can you combine more than one activity into a single trip or even better can you walk, cycle, catch public transport or car pool? Have you considered giving up the second or third family car and joining a car sharing scheme?

Visit RACV Fuel Saving Tips

Car EcoMeter

The Car EcoMeter is a software package developed by RACV and EPA Victoria to show how you can reduce the impact of your car on the environment and save on fuel costs at the same time. It can be used to estimate the fuel consumption and environmental impact of your vehicle. See how different vehicles, driving styles, traffic conditions and levels of vehicle maintenance affect fuel consumption and emissions. You can also compare the results of your vehicle with other vehicles.

Visit the Car EcoMeter

The GM Chevrolet Volt concept car - powered by a hydrogen fuel cell & batteries charged from the grid

Green Wheels

In March this year, RACV along with EPA Victoria joined forces with Future Climate Australia to launch Green Wheels, an online guide enabling consumers to assess greenhouse emissions of all new passenger cars in Australia. The unique Australian website ranks vehicles by class by their greenhouse gas emissions and provided information about technologies and fuels and how these impact on climate change. Recognising a concerted effort to reduce emissions was crucial across all business sectors, Green Wheels drew on concerning data relating to average emissions of cars sold in Australia (230 grams per kilometre) compared to those sold in Europe (161 grams) as impetus to get started. The website has been designed so that in three easy steps, users can select a vehicle that compliments their lifestyle needs without excessive greenhouse impact. Each search results in the top 25 per cent lowest emission models in a particular class being shown with especially well-performing vehicles – that is, the best of the best – clearly flagged with the unique Green Wheels tick of approval. The website will soon launch a unique fleet managers’ tool allowing for comparisons of different models to be made based on annual travel and business use. A host of organisations have thrown their weight behind the initiative by becoming members of the Green Wheels umbrella body – the Low Emission Vehicle partnership. These include: Toyota, Honda, Peugeot, Renault, Holden, Shell, Michelin, VicRoads, The Climate Group, ICLEI, VACC and the Committee For Melbourne.

Visit Green Wheels

NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY

Early this year, RACV endorsed a national climate change policy along with the six other Australian motoring clubs represented by AAA, which collectively represents 6.5 million members. The policy initiatives provide practical and innovative solutions and are being progressively implemented. These include:

• a national climate change forum involving governments, industry and world experts to examine vehicle emissions and how best to reduce them

• reduction of RACV’s carbon footprint via an energy audit action plan and greenhouse gas emissions target

• an investigation by AAA clubs into the carbon offset market on behalf of members

• reducing emissions of RACV roadside assistance vehicles and moving to purchase offsets for remaining emissions that cannot be eliminated

• producing an environment report to dispel myths and highlight the facts about cars and their effect on the environment

• an eco drive project to educate motorists on ways to cut emissions.

Citroen Metisse diesel hybrid prototype - great economy and not at all boring!

INITIATIVES WITHIN RACV

In order to advise and advocate on behalf of members on environmental issues with credibility, it is of paramount importance that RACV is committed to acting in a responsible manner itself. Many activities have and are being undertaken at RACV to cement this commitment and to help reduce our carbon footprint.

• Environmental Corporate induction presentations provided to all new staff members each month at Noble Park, the Clubs and for MCC staff.

• Active Green Team Program incorporating regular meetings with nominated green team representatives across each RACV department whose role is to communicate and champion sustainable behaviour changes within individual work areas. Examples of Green team activities include: scrap paper re-use program (binding into notepads for use by staff in the call centres); “turn off your pc at night” campaign; default “double sided” printing for all staff

• Commitment to achieving Sustainability Victoria Waste Wise Business accreditation. Audit conducted for City Club and Noble Park and now finalising Report and Waste Wise Submission. Achievements thus far:

• 12% reduction of office paper use since 2004/05

• 63% of all paper products purchased by RACV in 2005/06 were of recycled paper content (At City Club, figure was closer to 100% of all paper purchases)

• Coffee discounts for staff who use own mugs rather than disposables

• Provision of a complete suite of waste and recycling services to staff and visitors at RACV

• Sustainable transport programs for staff including the RACV Car Pooling program available for staff travelling to and from work which includes preferential parking arrangements (120 employees registered as of July 2007)

• Extensive parking facilities provided for cyclists

• Annual sustainable transport and Ride to Work Day activities for staff with associated free breakfasts and giveaways for participants.

Strange EV (pure electric) prototype from Venturi

OTHER PROGRAMS

• RACV is a 10 year sponsor of Ride to Work Day and in 2007 has become a National Ambassador for the inaugural National Ride to Work Day which includes sponsorship of Cycle Angels and also the "Everything you wanted to know about cycling but were afraid to ask!" campaign in 2007.

• RACV has achieved Affiliate status for Green Globe 21 at Inverloch, an international sustainability benchmark program for the Tourism industry

• Inclusion as pilot participant in hotels’ industry sustainability benchmark program Savings in the City and completion of Water Assessment module of the program as well as Level 1 status for Energy and Waste.

• Annual Battery Round Up recycling program (more than 6000 batteries collected) with money raised going to charity

• Ecologically Sustainable Design criteria implemented into Healesville redevelopment project including geo-exchange cooling system for the building which works by utilising the earth's natural thermal energy to assist with the regulation of internal temperatures in the building. Other initiatives include: removal of cooling towers and implementing a “self-sufficient” watering regime for the golf course through construction of dams and wetlands.

• Member of Committee for Melbourne Climate Change Taskforce (2007) and inclusion in “Impacts and Implications” and ‘Communications, Stakeholders and Actions” sub-groups. Monthly meetings to produce white paper in June 2008

OTHER ACTIONS TO REDUCE FOOTPRINT

• RACV vehicle policy modified in 2007 to include specific minimum requirements (5.5 or above Greenhouse Rating; 5.5 or above Air Pollution Rating – as per the Green Vehicle Guide)

• Phasing of dedicated LPG vehicles into fleet as well as dual fuel vehicles where dedicated LPG vehicles are not available has commenced.

• Benchmarking of greenhouse gas savings through purchasing (eg 63% purchasing figures for recycled content paper); water (demonstrated water savings); energy (Green team campaigns such as “turning off pc’s at night”; double-sided printing and light lobe replacement program to compact fluorescent in buildings); transport (“fuel saving tips” incorporated into Safe Vehicle Policy)