As world leaders meet in Copenhagen to seek consensus on ways to reduce carbon emissions, the world’s automakers are on the doorstep of a revolutionary change in how the vehicles we all depend on are designed and powered. From batteries, to plug-in hybrids, to next generation biofuels, clean diesels and hydrogen powered autos, to dramatic improvements in old combustion technology, automakers are doing more than any other industry to bring the change needed to avoid a potential climate crisis — and they do so willingly.

More so now than ever, automakers realize that reducing the automobile’s dependence on fossil fuels is a necessity for creating a sustainable business. But make no mistake; the path forward will be challenging.

In order for carbon reductions to be obtained equitably worldwide, a comprehensive program engaging all sectors of the world economy is required. From agriculture to utilities to manufacturing to transport to households; all have roles to play. And while automakers are an integral part of society, they are only one piece of the puzzle. As such, the transportation sector must be firmly embedded in an economy- wide carbon-reduction plan and must work to speed “decarbonisation” through an integrated approach linking technology, energy, government and consumers.

This new worldwide, integrated approach to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels will present novel challenges. China is now the largest market for automobiles in the world, and while the U.S. is still the second largest market, countries such as India, Russia, and Mexico are emerging as ever-powerful influences. Whatever agreements result from discussions at Copenhagen and in the future, it is clear that countries are important players. 

A hodgepodge of worldwide regulations would spell doom for the automakers’ green efforts before they even really take hold. In an example of exactly the kind of cooperation necessary, President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao recently signed several agreements, including the development of standards for electric car charging infrastructure, battery testing, and plug design. Yet, although groundbreaking, these agreements between two countries are only a small example of the kind of cooperation needed.

Automakers support establishing aggressive yet achieveable emissions, however reaching these goals will require all stakeholders — including manufacturers, all levels of government, NGOs, energy providers, consumers, and the research and financial communities — to work together in harmony, with equitable and clear definitions of roles and responsibilities for each sector.

It is only in this way that the world can meet the challenges of reducing carbon emissions while maintaining a healthy economy and populace.  Meanwhile, for automakers to reach aggressive new standards in the U.S., we will need consumers to buy our energy-efficient technologies in large volumes … so spread the word.  If you are considering a new vehicle, take a look at new technologies on sale today.

Spread the news on what the føck is going on in Copenhagen with friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, or smoke signals.

Today is a good day. At the Auto Alliance, an association representing major automakers, we’re happy to hear the Obama administration’s announcement of a national program to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel efficiency.

In fact, over the past two years we’ve been meeting and working with environmental leaders to find just this kind of smart measure that meets our shared goals. The auto industry has been ahead of the curve when it comes to rolling out new technologies and collaborating with policymakers to help tackle climate change. We already offer 130 models that get at least 30 MPG, and 35 hybrid or clean diesel models. But since these products take many years to design, build and test before we bring them to consumers, what you see now is what we began working on years ago.

The products we’re already working on now go beyond solutions for gasoline, diesel and ethanol. Electric power is starting to arrive, and our researchers and technicians are looking into technologies that use no petroleum at all.

We know these investments are absolutely necessary, not just because of the new national standards, but because real progress is absolutely necessary to address the problems we all face. Greenwashing won’t cut it. Marketing won’t help us meet federal standards. The auto industry is willing to be held accountable. We have supported actual standards against which you can measure us – even aggressive C02 reduction standards, including the 2007 federal Energy Bill that raised fuel efficiency standards by 40 percent, the biggest increase in history.

What other industries support such aggressive emissions reductions and accountability?

For us this is a matter of staying viable and competitive. Autos currently account for about 17 percent of the nation’s GHG emissions, and we know we have to make this transition if we want to be a competitive part of a new low-carbon economy.

You can be a part of this transition, too. Right now, you can take immediate steps to cut your own emissions (and save money) with some of the tips we have provided at EcoDrivingUSA. You might be surprised at how much better you can do with a few simple changes. President Obama’s advice to keep your tires properly inflated is actually a very good start.

As for the other 83 percent of the nation’s GHG emissions, we hope the Obama administration will lead the way to at last bring other parts of the economy into a shared national effort to address our common problems. The EPA’s recent endangerment finding on GHG has demonstrated the importance of such a comprehensive solution.

After all, climate change is a global challenge. It cannot be solved piecemeal; a challenge of this magnitude requires a commitment to match. We’re all in this together, both the problem and the solution.

Today’s announcement will give us a challenging set of national standards. The auto industry can meet that challenge. We will do our part.

As Congress and the Obama administration consider solutions to our economic problems and long-term challenges of enhancing energy security and fighting global warming, modernizing our nation’s automotive fleet would go a long way toward accomplishing those goals. Currently there are nearly 250 million cars and trucks on American roads and highways. Many of these are older vehicles, manufactured prior to enactment of emissions standards that help make the new vehicles sold today dramatically cleaner and better for our air quality.

In the industry, we often say that the best thing you can due to reduce emissions is to purchase a new car. Why? Because today’s vehicles are 99 percent cleaner than vehicles of the 1970s, thanks to a dramatic reduction in smog-forming emissions. In fact, in recognition of the progress automakers have made in reducing smog-forming emissions, California has gone so far as to eliminate smog checks for new vehicles.

Automakers have supported fleet modernization programs in Texas and California and have encouraged Congress and the Obama administration to adopt a fleet modernization program with the following elements:

• Make vehicles 10-years-old or older eligible for trade-in toward a new, cleaner replacement vehicle that meets today’s air-quality standards
• Establish fuel-economy incentives for the replacement vehicle — the better the fuel economy of the replacement vehicle, the more incentive you receive toward its purchase
• Establish a simple point-of-sale system that consumers can use at the dealership

During these difficult economic times, this is the type of program that could provide critical assistance to consumers, auto dealers, and automakers alike. It’s also a program that the environmental community has embraced. As Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign at the Center for Auto Safety, recently noted, “The stimulus is about creating jobs. If the automakers are able to sell the cars they make, they will be able to put people to work. Better technology requires more people.”

A broad fleet-modernization program available to American consumers could provide numerous benefits. It would benefit consumers who need a new vehicle that gets higher mileage. It would benefit our environment by replacing older, dirtier vehicles with cleaner, more efficient models. It would contribute to energy security by reducing our petroleum usage. And most of all, it is good public policy.

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Most Americans rely on their cars to drive to work or leisure but never realize the auto industry is important to their pocketbooks, too.

When the economy sinks, consumers delay purchases … starting with a new car. Consumers who want to buy may not get credit, and 90 percent of new autos are financed.

It’s a depression in the auto industry today.

October auto sales were the lowest in two decades, down 32 percent from a year ago. When adjusted for population growth, 2008 auto sales may fall to post-World War II levels. In September alone, 1000 dealers closed their doors.

The entire industry’s condition affects far more than just a dozen automakers. In all 50 states, communities big and small rely on the greater auto industry. Just like bank failures rippled through the economy, the auto industry has a large ripple effect … one that reaches to your community.

Nationwide, 13 million jobs are auto-related. Every auto plant job generates another five jobs among suppliers and the surrounding community; by comparison, a Wall Street job generates two additional jobs.

Even if there is no auto plant nearby, your community may depend on auto manufacturing. The auto industry is one of the biggest purchasers of aluminum, copper, iron, lead, plastics, rubber, textiles, vinyl, steel, computer chips and more.

Auto sales account for 20 percent of U.S. retail sales and generate tax revenues of more than $10 billion, so the plunge in auto sales is affecting your state’s treasury right now.

It is vital to the U.S. economy to have a healthy, competitive auto industry, and the next 100 days are critical.

The potential failure of one or more automakers would cut up to 2.5 million jobs in the first year as production ground to a halt throughout the industry, according to a report released on Nov. 5 by the Center for Automotive Research.

That may be why President-elect Barack Obama offered his support for our industry:

Few have been harder hit by our credit crisis than the workers who make our cars and the companies that supply their parts. Now, when it came to rescuing Wall Street, Washington didn’t waste a minute. But now that autoworkers are suffering, Washington’s put on the brakes. It turns out it could take a year for the auto industry to get the loan guarantees we passed a few weeks ago. Well, the workers who are being laid off and the companies that are seeing their sales drop — they can’t afford to wait a year, they need help right now.

There is cause for hope in the auto industry … because we are reinventing the automobile.

In last year’s energy bill, Congress approved $25 billion in loans to help automakers retool for the next generation of fuel-efficient autos. We supported the mileage increase in the energy bill, and automakers are working to achieve the unprecedented 40 percent increase in fuel economy across our entire fleet.

In 2009, dealer showrooms will boast about 140 models with highway fuel economy ratings of more than 30 miles per gallon. That’s an increase of 25 percent over the number of 30 mpg products offered in 2008.

Model year 2009 vehicles will include 25 hybrid and eight clean diesel models, as well as autos employing fuel-efficient technologies like continuously variable transmissions and cylinder deactivation. Many products planned for just a few years from now don’t run on gasoline at all.

But money makes progress possible.

Building autos is a capital-intensive industry. A new power train can cost $1 billion to build. The federal government estimates that the new mileage standards will cost automakers $115 billion by 2020.

So long as our industry remains viable, we’re on the right track.

Our industry plans to be on the leading edge of the new energy economy. Our work towards meeting a national solution could create the biggest wave of “green jobs” our nation has seen as automakers produce more cars that use less fuel and produce less carbon dioxide.

But first we need to get through the next year.

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The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 11 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen.