Nissan launches six-year eco plan

Nissan has outlined plans to bolster its green credentials with a six-year environmental programme that focuses on reducing its carbon footprint, increasing renewable energy use and diversifying resources.

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The Nissan Leaf

The company said it would increase its usage rate of recycled materials to 25% and increase fuel efficiency and reduce the amount of CO2 emissions of corporate activities by 20%, compared to 2005 levels. Nissan says it will also introduce renewable energy sources for manufacturing and related facilities.

It aims to become the number one in zero-emission vehicles with sales of 1.5m zero-emission vehicles across the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

The car marque plans to deliver its Green Programme by the end of 2016.

The move comes despite a recent study finding that consumers are “cynical and wary” of green messages in car advertising because they are not “informative or clear”. The research by digital agency Specific Media said that car brands could be missing out on sales by focusing on green messages without putting it in to cost terms for cash-strapped consumers, who are more concerned about price and fuel consumption.

Carlos Ghosn, president and chief executive officer at Nissan, says: “More consumers are demanding products in line with their values, including cars and trucks with a lower carbon footprint. At the same time, we are using technology to make our factories greener and more efficient.”

He added: “Nissan wants to be part of the solution toward a sustainable society – for the sake of the planet and as a significant competitive advantage and a strategic differentiator in the global manufacturing sector.”

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