Global Campaign to Advance Emissions-Free Transportation Gathers momentum with Project Audacious

Thanks to a coalition of climate activists, organizations and researchers – fueled by philanthropy – a cleaner, healthier and more equitable future of transportation is now within reach.

For the opening session of the Countdown Summit, TED chief Chris Anderson said in a conversation with an electrification advocate Monique Araya, a catalytic financial boost of $ 300 million to Drive Electric campaign.

This ambitious initiative will accelerate the transition to electric for all vehicles and put the world on the path to 100% zero-emission road transport for the benefit of the climate, health and the economy. The Drive Electric network includes more than 70 partners who have already accumulated an impressive track record in advancing electric vehicle (EV) policies. Over the next five years, they will push for all sales of new road vehicles to be electric by 2040, with cars by 2030 and buses by 2035. over 160 billion tonnes of cumulative emissions of carbon dioxide.

“Drive Electric partners advance the work we urgently need to ensure global climate stability, and what excites me most is that every achievement has a measurable impact on people every day ” , noted Araya, who sits on the Board of Directors of Drive Electric and is a distinguished member of ClimateWorks. “It’s about purifying the air by eliminating pollution from diesel trucks, ”she continued. “It’s about making cities quieter and healthier with electric buses, cars and electric bikes. And it is about accelerating investments and creating jobs for a better and more sustainable economy.

Accelerating systems change in a multi-billion dollar industry like global transportation requires ambitious scale. With this funding, Drive Electric has now raised more than half of the billion dollar campaign target to support a crucial five-year window to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in time to avoid dire climate outcomes. . The Audacious project harnessed the expertise of partners like the Climate Leadership Initiative to catalyze this historic funding to a sector currently under-represented in philanthropy.

“The Drive Electric campaign represents an exciting new model to help accelerate the climate transitions we need most,” said Anna Verghese, Executive Director of The Audacious Project. “Achieving our climate goals will require highly coordinated, multisectoral collaboration of trusted experts on the ground who know what is required. We’re excited to see how these efforts could inspire other industries to reinvent change at scale. “

The Audacious Coalition

The Audacious Project was formed in partnership with The Bridgespan Group as a springboard for social impact. Using TED’s curatorial expertise to spark ideas, the initiative brings together investors and social entrepreneurs to channel funds to pressing global issues. A remarkable group of individuals and organizations make this work possible, including: the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; Nat Simons and Laura Baxter-Simons (Sea Change Foundation); the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation; Quadrature Climate Foundation; Oak Foundation; Chris Larsen and Lyna Lam; Gary, Laura, Josh and Eliana Lauder; Rick and Nancy Moskovitz (Sea Grape Foundation); Jeff and Marieke Rothschild; Ev and Sara Williams (Someland Foundation).

To learn learn more about the campaign while watching Monica Araya and Chris Anderson in conversation here, and by visiting their Audacious project page.

Join the movement for 100% emission-free transport and tune in Global TED Countdown Live Stream on October 30, 2021 to learn more about other climate actions you can take.