Q&A: Andrea Debbane, Director of Sustainability at JLR

The transport sector makes one of the biggest contributions to global carbon emissions of all sectors. In data from 2022, transport accounted for about 21% of total emissions. What's more, it is one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise.

The world is now globalised, aviation is cheaper than ever before and cars are more and more becoming common commodities rather than luxuries. We're travelling more than ever before. But like an old car, we won't have many miles left on the clock if we keep going at this rate.

Propitiously enough, the automotive industry has been making headway in sustainability for a long time. With the EV market flourishing and with biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells in constant development, there is hope that cars will eventually kick the carbon.

Jaguar Land Rover is one of the sector's most storied and prestigious names. Under the guidance of new Director of Sustainability, Andrea Debbane, JLR hopes to achieve net zero by 2039. After speaking at Sustainability LIVE 2024 London, Sustainability Magazine caught up with Andrea to discuss the sustainable future of motoring.

What inspired you to get involved in sustainability?

I've been in the area of sustainability for about 15 years, and to be very honest, I entered it by chance. Once I got into that space, I loved it. And I haven't left because I really see it as an area where it is just growing, where ideas, innovations just keep moving us forward.It's cross-sectoral, so every company, every industry needs to be involved.

And it also means that you're in a space where you work with other sectors. You have to work with governments, you have to work with NGOs, you have to work with the general public. And within your own company, you work across all of the functions.

Are there any trends or innovations you're excited about in sustainability?

I think the whole energy transition is exciting because there are so many different pathways to clean energy. We start on one and we think that is it, but then actually another one comes and pops up.

I think this idea of looking at all the different pathways, whether that is in solar electrification, hydrogen nuclear fusion, it's just fascinating and it's accelerating so fast.

What are your biggest takeaways from Sustainability LIVE so far?

I think the greatest thing is the networking. I've been able to pick up with different keynote speakers who I found very inspiring and I've also been able to make connections with the other people on my panel. So I think it's been great just for the opportunities for networking and idea inspiration. So thank you.

Can events like this contribute to the broader sustainability movement?

I think this idea of bringing people together is really important. It challenges our own thinking on where we are on sustainability. All it takes is to hear someone say something, to share some new great idea, innovation or breakthrough.

It's always about keeping on top of things and learning. That learning comes through again, the networks, the people, the topics that are brought into these types of events.

How do you anticipate sustainability practices evolving over the coming years?

It's moving fast, so there'll be a transformation. Transformation in our vehicles and in the technology that will be integrated into our vehicles. It's also a transformation in terms of our services and the way that mobility will be sold and used by the public. It's a very exciting place to be.

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