“Do Something, Do It Now”: Auto Trader Sustainability Initiatives During COP27

In the second week of COP27, Auto Trader launched two new environmentally focused initiatives; one directed at consumers, the World's Largest Online Quiz, and another dedicated to helping the industry collaborate on sustainability initiatives.

Making quizzing history and breaking the Guinness World Record for hosting the 'world's largest quiz', on Tuesday night Auto Trader was joined by over 7,279 participants - beating the previous record holders by a whopping 4,951 participants. The quiz was electric themed with the aim of further raising electric consumer awareness as we edge ever closer to the UK Government's 2030 combustion engine deadline. Participants were in with a chance to win one of 173 prizes if they signed up, including a Vauxhall Mokka Electric and a Vauxhall Corsa Electric Anniversary edition, resulting in over 40,000 registrations in just four days and over 16,000 players flocking to join on the night.

Additionally, on Tuesday evening, the first ever "Building a sustainable automotive industry" event took place in London with more than 30 of the UK's most sustainability-focused organisations coming together to hear from Auto Trader Sustainability Award winners Nissan and Clarus Motor Park and environmental responsibility experts including Alex Beasley, UK Country Manager for Patagonia, and Dave Coleman, Founder of The Carbon Literacy Trust. Key takeaways from the event included the importance of collaboration in solving shared problems and the need to take immediate action. The event also saw Auto Trader announce its ambition to be net zero by 2040, with 50% reduction by 2030, through commitments to the Science Based Targets initiative.

Alex Beasley, Country Manager UK, Ireland & Nordics of Patagonia commented at the industry event: "The climate crisis is an existential threat, and we all need to take action to save our home planet. Collaboration is key to solving the problems we all face, we can share what works as well as hold each other to account. Seeing other industries having conversations on this issue is heartening and we'd encourage everyone to continue this dialogue, share what you learn and make changes immediately."

Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Auto Trader commented: "Our purpose is to Drive Change Together. Responsibly. And we take this very seriously - the automotive industry has played a role in the current environmental situation and it's vital we take a collective and collaborative role in the solution. Our environmental strategy includes 2040 net zero ambitions but also commits to investing in supporting consumers, retailers and the industry at large as we all transition to a more sustainable way of living, and of course EVs are a key part of this for automotive. The shared need to do something - and do it now - was evident in the industry conversations this week and we look forward to helping the industry make continued progress.

"We're also delighted to be named Guinness World Record Holders and we hope that the quizzers who joined in learnt something new about EVs and will share this with their friends and family. The quiz marks another important investment in educating and exciting consumers about making the switch to electric, as well as reinforcing our marketplace as the go-to destination for buying new and used EVs."

Following the launch of the Automotive Carbon Literacy Toolkit, the monthly Electric Vehicle (EV) giveaway and the social media led Electric Sceptics campaign, Auto Trader continue to encourage both consumers and the automotive industry to embrace electric and more broadly consider their role in building a more sustainable world.

The next "Building a sustainable automotive industry" event will be held in Manchester in March 2023, you can register your interest here.