Sustainability

By Rakesh Nair, corporate planning, Nissan International

The lyrics ‘When I get older, I will be stronger. They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag’ are blaring impetuously from a characteristically modified 80’s Nissan bakkie when it is suddenly overshadowed by The Moses Mahbida Stadium. An irrepressible sight it is, one that beholds and singularly showcases the grandeur the city hosted during the 2010 World Cup. Months have passed since, but the Spirit of Africa remains in every person you meet here.

The most pleasant of smiles, sincerest care, and the loudest of ‘house music’ fills the air as thousands throng the city to conjoin in unison for a positive declaration regarding climate change.

The Climate Change Response Expo is completely dominated by images of the future depicting impact of climate deterioration, showcasing growing needs and deteriorating timelines for developed and fast-developing nations to adhere to a common response to reduce the impact on the environment. It is evident that the change is not for the future but for the present and that is simply the motto of the Renault-Nissan Alliance marquee.

Most people at COP17 in Durban have never driven an electric - let alone seen one up close - so the appearance of Renault Fluence Z.E., Renault Twizy and Nissan LEAF here is causing quite a stir. At our booth, we are busy explaining the cars to a steady stream of visitors, as well as signing them up for test drives. Shuttle services in Renault Fluence and Nissan LEAF are also available for COP17 delegates from various points in the city to the International Conference Center, where the climate change negotiations are taking place.

To see our COP17 photos, go to our multimedia library or click here to download them.

A fleet of zero-emission vehicles from Renault and Nissan is being used to shuttle delegates to and from the 2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, from Nov. 28-Dec. 9. The Alliance is at COP17 to demonstrate that our zero-emission vehicles - the first mass-produced EVs to ever run on the streets of Africa - offer a real affordable solution for drastically reducing CO2 emissions.  

Watch our video report from Durban

--First time for a fleet of mass-produced, 100% electric vehicles to take to the road in Africa--

DURBAN, South Africa (Nov. 24, 2011) – For the first time ever, a fleet of mass-produced, zero-emission vehicles will take to the streets of Africa.

A dozen electric cars from the Renault-Nissan Alliance will highlight the benefits of green transportation and will provide zero-emission* shuttle services for delegates at the 2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, Nov. 28-Dec. 9. The 17th annual Conference of Parties (better known as COP17) aims to “stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.”

The Alliance partners have an ambitious target to be the world’s leading provider of zero-emission vehicles by 2016 with cumulative sales of 1.5 million vehicles.The ambition is set out in Nissan’s new mid-term environmental plan, announced today, and comes as Renault begins sales across Europe of its Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Van Z.E. and as sales of Nissan LEAF approach their first anniversary.