It’s now three years since Jaguar Land Rover (referred to as JLR) announced to the World their commitment to being a net zero organisation by 2039. This is not just about emissions of the vehicles but the whole organisation itself with over 40,000 members of staff, 5,000 suppliers and multiple sites. They are centralising sustainability and electrification to achieve this goal, all whilst maintaining the ‘modern luxury’ ethos.

This chat is hosted by Emmanuelle Bischoffe-Cluzel, Vice President and Sustainability Lead in the Automotive Industry for Capgemini. Joining her is François Dossa, board member at Jaguar Land Rover with responsibility towards Strategy and Sustainability, and Andrea Debbane, Director of Sustainability at Jaguar Land Rover.

François tells us how leading brands from other industries who consider themselves ‘luxury’ have sustainability at the centre of their practices. He is transitioning JLR to being considered in the same breath as a very real and possible challenge. Changing the mindset for the design to have a very long life, or indeed many lives, Francois tells us that the cars need to be considered as “mobile phones on wheels” copying the same business model with offering subscription services.

Recently celebrating 100 days at JLR, Andrea gives her view on joining an established automaker and the challenge ahead. She tells us that the mindset towards sustainability needs to be adapted as we move forward as it’s not only thinking in new ways, it’s letting go of old ideas and processes too. Andrea also shares with us that the one constant as we move towards the 2039 net zero date, that everyone craves mobility and this needs to be what JLR preserves and encourages.

To kick off series three of Driving the Future we’re looking at all things sustainability; in particular, reducing the carbon footprint, both by emissions emitted from vehicles and how the car is designed, manufactured and eventually recycled.

Emmanuelle Bischoffee-Cluzel, VP and Sustainability Lead for the Global Automotive Industry at Capgemini is leading the conversation. Emmanuelle draws upon her career-long experience to talk enthusiastically about eco-design and sustainability.

Joining the conversation is Mr Alexandre Buzy, who is the Senior Project Manager committed to Sustainability (decarbonisation, circular economy, eco-design) and Innovation at the Renault Group. Alexandre gives insight into the steps undertaken to ensure a reduction in the carbon footprint, design and product lifecycle. He also shares with us how the gender parity at the Renault Group has been reached much quicker than previously forecasted.

Expect conversation around carbon neutrality, carbon pricing, recyclability, repairability and battery passports. They also explore the French eco bonus, how this has changed thinking currently and predict how this could expand and develop long term. Finally, they discuss upskilling talent to stay competitive by retraining diesel specialists to work with electric vehicles.

Leading the conversation in this episode of Driving the Future is Emmanuelle Bischoffe-Cluzel - Vice President and Sustainability Lead in the Global Automotive Industry at Capgemini. Emmanuelle defines what sustainability is today, which milestones have been achieved over the last few years and initiatives keeping her busy today for a greener industry tomorrow.

Joining Emmanuelle is Laurence Montanari - Vice President for Transportation and Mobility at Dassault Systèmes. Laurence tells us all about the attempt to introduce electric cars in the last century and the challenges they faced which didn’t see them succeed. She tells us about the rate of change within the automotive industry and how in her 30 year career she now feels like she is working today within the tech industry.

Together the conversation covers a wide range of topics which amongst them include the weight of cars and how that alone has a bearing upon green credentials. They discuss disposing of batteries and how parts can be better reused. Then they cover much wider topics such as infrastructure, carbon initiatives and the influence of gigafactories. Lastly we focus on people and talent within the industry, what are they expected to do today and how can they better upskill for the future.