Turo, the world’s largest peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace, has announced that it is the first car-share platform certified Carbon Neutral by SCS Global Services.
The certification is part of Turo’s efforts to address climate change, making the automotive and transportation industry more sustainable.
According to Turo’s CEO, Andre Haddad, “An important part of Turo’s mission in putting the 1.5 billion cars to better use is ensuring the world’s existing resources are put to better use. I’m proud of the steps we — our employees and vibrant community of hosts and guests — have collectively taken to reduce our environmental footprint while enjoying all that Turo has to offer.”
The Carbon Neutral certification was completed by SCS Global Services, a pioneer and global leader in the field of sustainability certification assessment, and administered by the non-profit standards-setting body, SCS Standards. It verifies and formalizes Turo’s work in offsetting 100 percent of its annual 2022 greenhouse gas emissions.
Turo intends to maintain carbon neutrality moving forward and plans to continue cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions through initiatives outlined in a GHG Reduction Management Plan.
The GHG Reduction Management Plan includes increasing the number of electric and hybrid vehicles on Turo and the trips they support through EV financing partnerships for hosts and other initiatives. Additionally, Turo plans to drive more hybrid and electric vehicle-based trips by highlighting the existing offerings through an elevated product experience and partnership.
“Turo’s achievement of carbon neutrality, as confirmed through our third-party certification, ensures credibility of the company’s accurate carbon footprint measurement, its purchase of carbon credits that provide real climate mitigation, and a completely neutralized footprint,” said Dave Jonas, SCS Global Services Program Manager, Carbon Neutral Certification.
“We applaud Turo for demonstrating sustainability leadership by achieving comprehensive carbon neutrality across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, including direct carbon emissions from its staff and offices, indirect emissions associated with energy usage in operations, and fuel used in shared vehicles.”
In addition to new projects, investments, partnerships, and more, Turo remains committed to offsetting any emissions that cannot be addressed through operational changes across all markets where it currently operates, and will be updating the plan at least every 12 months.
Turo has also invested in sustainability initiatives, such as the J.B. Hunt Transportation Efficiency Project, which reduces the number of semi-trucks on US highways from coast to coast, resulting in lower air emissions, improved highway safety, and less wear and tear on overall roads and infrastructure. This project is anticipated to reduce GHG emissions from the transport of goods by 50 percent.
The car share company has invested in the Kootznoowoo Forestry Project, which protects 20,000 acres of forest on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska, including approximately 8,000 acres of old-growth forest. Owned by the native Tlingit and Haida people and managed alongside the US Forest Service, Turo’s investment will help preserve the woodland ecosystem, as well as support an education fund for the native community.
Turo has fueled eco-friendly adventures — roughly 14 percent of its Gross Booking Value (GBV) in 2022 came from trips taken with a vehicle running on alternative energy, the company says. Turo has offered access to a selection of electric vehicles since 2012, helping drive the adoption of electric vehicles, and has some of the most sought after and recently launched makes and models available to book today. Turo expects EV adoption to increase, and will continue to champion this growth by building a rich supply of electric and hybrid vehicles on the platform.
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