Inaugural DaimlerChrysler Environmental Award Announced

From the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies at the Australian National University, Professor Lindenmayer was awarded the accolade in recognition for his contribution to the scientific understanding of biodiversity impacts, which will enable best practice plantation management.

The DaimlerChrysler Environmental Award, established to recognise and promote Australian researchers and research programs that make a significant contribution to understanding, or resolving, local or global environmental problems, will allow Professor Lindenmayer to further his research for future sustainable growth.

“This award is helping key research in Australia, like Professor Lindenmayer’s, to be acknowledged and assisted for the future sustainable growth of this country,” said Alan McLaren, Managing Director for DaimlerChrysler Retail.

“DaimlerChrysler takes environmental protection very seriously. It is in fact one of our corporate goals. The strength of our commitment is illustrated not least by our global investments in environmental protection, which most recently totalled 1.6 billion in the calendar year.

“As Banksia is a leader in environmental initiatives and fostering a sustainable future, DaimlerChrysler is a leader in technology, research and development and environmental initiatives in the automotive sector. Our association with Banksia is a natural fit,” said McLaren.

Since 2000, Professor Lindenmayer has undertaken two large scale and multi-faceted programs of research examining the impacts of different plantation landscapes across 150,000 hectares of forest. Over eighty scientific papers have resulted from this work and over fifty seminars and lectures have communicated the outcomes of his research. And together with his colleagues, Professor Lindenmayer has turned his insights into a book "Trees and Biodiversity" as a guide for Australian farm forestry.

As the umbrella brand for an exciting portfolio of both new and long-established business including Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, smart, Maybach, Freightliner and Sterling, DaimlerChrysler has built its success on bringing innovative research and transport solutions to fruition.

Environmental protection, energy saving and the converging of natural resources are integral parts of the company’s philosophy. It starts with vehicle development, continues with production and runs through to the recycling of many components.

DaimlerChrysler environmental initiatives:
DaimlerChrysler’s passion and achievement in environmental sustainability has been recognised time and again in the global community.

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class for example recently became the world’s first automobile with an Environmental Certificate. Certified by TÜV Management in Munich, the certificate confirms the environment-oriented product development of the vehicle, during which significant progress was made in numerous ecologically important areas. Exhaust emissions of the new S 350 are up to 85 per cent below the current EU 4 limits for example. And the S-Class not only meets the recycling rate of 85 per cent valid in the EU from 2006, but also complies with the 95 per cent overall recovery rate applicable from 2015.

Also recognised for its environmental sustainability ingenuity is the use of abaca fibres from banana trees in the production of the three-door Mercedes-Benz A-Class, a first for the automotive industry and achieving energy savings in production of 60 per cent, the initiative was awarded an Automotive Environmental Award by the Society of Plastic Engineers in the US.

In the production of the highly fuel efficient smart cars, just one facet of the vehicles environmentally compatible production process is the innovative powder paint system which uses absolutely no water, meaning no wastewater and zero solvent emissions. The innovation, reputed to be the most eco-friendly painting technique in the automotive industry, has been acclaimed by experts, realising energy savings of 40 per cent compared with conventional painting methods.

DaimlerChrysler is also currently conducting the largest global real-life test of emission free Fuel Cell vehicles with more than 100 passenger cars, buses and vans being used in day-to-day business around the world, including Australia, helping build valuable findings for the further development of the powertrain.

A part of this initiative, the EcoBus project, was the winner of a Banksia Award last year in conjunction with the Western Australian Government for driving sustainable transport energy. The initiative has established a unique infrastructure which can act as the foundation for a future hydrogen economy and a blueprint for the rest of Australia and other nations.

There are many examples of DaimlerChrysler’s tireless efforts and commitment in research and the environment. This new environmental award further demonstrates DaimlerChrysler’s ongoing commitment and strengthens its association with one of Australia’s leading environmental groups, the Banksia Environmental Foundation.