[ACT Methodology] – update of Automotive Manufacturer methodology

First published in 2019, the Automotive Manufacturer (Auto) methodology needed to be updated to ensure it remains cutting-edge in its ambition, relevance, and comprehensiveness. 

You can find the updated version of the methodology here. 

The World Benchmarking Alliance has used the former methodology three times, for the first iterations of the Automotive Benchmark in 2019, 2020, and 2021 respectively. For the next iteration of this benchmark released by the end of 2024, 30 companies will be assessed with this updated version. 

What was the process to update the Auto Methodology?  

First, we have collected feedback from assessors working on WBA Climate &Energy Benchmark. 

A public consultation was launched in June 2023 for 2 weeks. Most of the targets were stakeholders, members from the former ACT Technical Working Group, pilot companies during methodology development, WBA assessed companies, and ACT users. 

This public consultation ensured that the ACT Automotive methodology reflects the most relevant topics to the sector’s low-carbon transition through expertise of all participants. 

Bilateral discussions with various stakeholders (ADEME, CDP, Carbon Tracker initiative, Renault, etc.) were organised as well as weekly meetings gathering WBA, ADEME and CDP. 

What changes are brought to the methodology? 

  • Extended boundaries of emissions, including upstream emissions related to purchased materials used for vehicles manufacturing. The main focus remains on downstream emissions resulting from the use of sold vehicles  
  • ‘Qualitative’ modules added/refreshed according to latest versions available published in 2022 (modules 5-8) and 2023 (modules 9)  
  • Addition of some performance indicators, assessing relevant topics such as the share of CapEx dedicated to low-carbon solutions, or the energy efficiency performance of low-carbon vehicles sold  
  • Performance weighting scheme updated to properly reflect relative significance of all topics  
  • List of 1.5°C aligned low-carbon scenarios to be used