Selo verde para automóveis com tecnologias sustentáveis: uma proposta de certificação ambiental

Abstract

The emphasis on the automotive segment deserves to be highlighted not only in Brazil, but also in all countries around the world, especially in view of the effects of climate change, which are making society rethink current production and consumption models. Even with the presence of the National Energy Conservation Label as the main information tool for automobile consumers in Brazil, regarding data related to energy efficiency, autonomy and CO2 emissions, it was observed that most consumers do not have direct access to information about environmentally valuable embedded technologies present in automobiles, based on their visual elements. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop an environmental certification model that demonstrates to the consumer the compliance of sustainable automotive technologies in new automobiles sold in the country, through the creation of the technical product: Green Seal Sustainable Technologies. The research, exploratory and descriptive, integrated qualitative and quantitative methods, with an emphasis on the use of the Delphi Technique as a methodology for assessing sustainability. The study involved two groups of automotive market experts, totaling a sample of 50 participants, 39 consumers and 11 car dealers. This technique is capable of presenting a range of 6 to 305 experts dedicated to analyzing complex situations through the application of questionnaires applied periodically, until a convergence of the responses of the subjects surveyed and a level of consensus appropriate to represent the total agreement of the group is achieved. The results demonstrated a pent-up demand from part of society represented by experts regarding the availability of cars with sustainable technologies in car dealerships. In addition, it was observed that the expectation of 69.2% of the consumers surveyed regarding sustainable information on cars is directly linked to the use of a green seal that demonstrates the sustainability of the car. To distinguish a car as more sustainable for the consumer and increase the attractiveness of these vehicles in Brazil, 63.6% of car dealers consider marketing campaigns focused on sustainability and the improvement in the identification of sustainable technologies to be essential. For these and other reasons, the environmental certification proposal presented as a technical product in this study became viable. The main certification criteria defined include: the energy source used in the automobile, the energy consumption per kilometer driven, the emissions classification within the Brazilian Vehicle Labeling Program, the number of national parts incorporated into the automobile, and the indicators related to consumer expectations regarding innovations and sustainable technologies in automobiles, as highlighted by experts during the Delphi panel. These include hybrid and electric automobiles, the use of parts made from recyclable or renewable materials, the Start- Stop system, and engines with Downsizing technology. Therefore, new certified automobile and light commercial vehicle models will be able to use a green seal with different levels of sustainability, which makes it easier for consumers to identify them as products that meet superior, high, important, or adequate environmental standards according to the analysis of certifying bodies accredited by the National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology. This initiative reinforces the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda by proposing improvements for the automotive sector, benefiting both society and the environment