Greenpeace: BMW Builds Climate Pigs

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

For Greenpeace, BMW’s model policy is causing lasting damage to the climate. The Munich-based carmaker already has 22 models on offer that emit less than 140 grams of C02 per kilometer.

The environmental protection organization Greenpeace protested on Monday in front of the BMW headquarters in Munich against what they saw as the manufacturer's model policy, which is harmful to the climate.

Munich Climate Pigs

Around 15 environmental activists converted a 3-series BMW and an X5 off-road vehicle in pink into “climate pigs”. Behind the vehicle, clouds of fabric up to seven meters high and nine meters long were inflated to represent the excessive carbon dioxide emissions from these vehicles. The sacks and banners read: "BMW builds climate pigs."

"Our protest is directed not only against BMW, but the entire automotive industry," said Greenpeace traffic expert Marc Specowius of the Autogazette. That is why the environmental protection organization will start a similar protest on Tuesday at Audi in Ingolstadt, on Wednesday at Mercedes in Stuttgart and on Thursday at Porsche in Zuffenhausen.

“There is a declaration of commitment from the auto industry. It says that by 2008 the fleet consumption will be reduced to 140 grams per kilometer. But this goal is again missed. The auto industry is simply not fulfilling its climate policy responsibility,”said Specowius. "The fleet consumption at BMW is currently 190 grams on average, an absurd figure," added Specowius.

BMW: The allegations are untenable

“The allegations from Greenpeace are not tenable. In the 2007/2008 model year alone, we are offering 22 models from the Mini to the 5 Series Touring that emit less than 140 grams,”said BMW spokesman Michael Blabst of the Autogazette. "More models will follow." With its “Efficient Dynamics” package of measures, however, BMW is pursuing a fleet approach and is not concentrating on just one model series. "We want to reduce consumption and, accordingly, the CO2 reduction across the board," said Blabst. "We face our climate policy responsibility every day."

A statement that Greenpeace should like to hear. Because Greenpeace requires manufacturers like BMW to take measures that focus not only on the lowest-powered model in a series, but on all models. "Measures to reduce consumption and CO2 must take effect especially in the volume segments such as the 3 and 5 series," said Specowius.

Awakening needs

According to Specoius, the fact that heavy off-road vehicles are currently recording high growth rates despite the CO2 debate is due to the needs aroused on the part of the manufacturers. "For example, VW puts a lot of marketing effort into the Phaeton or the Touareg." That also applies to other manufacturers.

With the smile concept (“Small, Intelligent, Light, Efficient”) presented eleven years ago, Greenpeace wants to prove that there is another way. Behind it is a car based on the Renault Twingo, which, at three liters, consumes around 50 percent less than the original vehicle. "It can also be transferred to today's needs with little effort," says Specowius. (AG / FM)