The power of partnerships: Driving sustainability in the auto care industry

Where did the “Minutes to Midnight” go? With constant global governments priorities pivoting, conflicts between countries and populations getting larger, the Doomsday Clock has set up the time left to only Seconds to Midnight. 

The global “Green Movement” has been shaping our world for decades, challenging conventional thinking and driving innovation toward sustainability. But the question remains—how much is enough? 

In that spirit, we are all aware that baby steps make a difference, but group efforts accelerate the journey. Especially when it comes to companies and industries that account for a large percentage of carbon footprint and therefore have a bigger impact on nature. Companies ought to seek out partnerships to help reduce emissions and purchase carbon offsets. The wider the alliance, the greater the impact. Like the famous saying, it takes a village, from agriculture to transportation, and recreation to technology, sustainability is not an afterthought, but a starting point. Even the World Economic Forum has repeatedly pointed to the positive impacts on businesses that embrace sustainable goals. 

In an increasingly urgent quest for environmental sustainability, partnerships within the automotive supply chain have never been more crucial. A great example of this is the Annual Automotive Sustainability Summit, co-hosted by Solera and Simplicity Car Care in Toronto, that brings together vendors, repairers, suppliers, and insurance representatives to address the pressing need for net-zero emissions in the collision repair and auto claims sectors. 

Embracing technology and owning accountability 

In the current environmental state, it is time for each shop, supplier, carrier, and vendor to be accountable and active in fostering dialogue and partnerships across the industry. Collective efforts are essential for meaningful change. 

Taking advantage of new technologies is also key to achieving sustainability goals. Advances in data and AI have increased accessibility to tools that now allow insurers and shops to assess damage remotely, cutting emissions from on-site visits. Innovations have been launched to achieve measurement of even Scope 3 emissions, a crucial step in effective carbon footprint monitoring and reduction. After all, you cannot control what you cannot measure. 

In the survey Insurers in the Green Lane – Driving Sustainability in Motor Insurance: A Market Opportunity, 76 per cent of consumers replied they are likely to sever ties with companies that disregard environmental responsibility. This statistic underscores the need to embrace sustainable practices—not just for compliance but because it is good for business. 

Establishing initiatives that encourage open dialogue and cooperation across the industry is vital to collectively identify and implement actionable solutions that benefit both the environment and the business landscape. 

In that same way, leadership within the industry plays a relevant role in championing sustainability. By inspiring others and promoting a culture of responsibility, industry leaders can help shift perspectives and prioritize environmental considerations in decision-making processes.  

The power of collective commitment 

By fostering powerful partnerships, leveraging new technologies, and prioritizing new talent education, the automotive industry can pave the way for significant environmental improvements and demonstrate its commitment to a greener future.  

At Solera, we believe in the power of partnerships to fuel innovation and create meaningful change. Solutions such as Sustainable Estimatics leverage extensive data, technology, and partnerships to measure, analyze, and offset Scope 3 CO2e emissions and give greater insight throughout the claims journey. For example, encouraging collaboration with auto body shops to identify where a more sustainable approach can be made during a repair.   

As an ISO-14064-01 certified company and European Union (EU) standard, Solera provides comprehensive guidelines, scenarios, and verified carbon emissions figures to achieve sustainability goals. Together, we can drive transformative change and ensure that the collision industry contributes positively to our planet’s future. 

This blog has been created in partnership with Solera  

About Bill Brower  

Bill Brower, a distinguished professional in the insurance industry, has an extensive career spanning over three decades, during which he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to driving excellence in the claims, repair, vehicle and fleet business sectors. Awarded Insurance Luminary by P&C360 for consecutive years, Bill focuses on enhancing the touchless claims process and advancing Sustainable Estimatics to drive carbon neutrality across the automotive ecosystem, serving insurers, repairers, manufacturers, auto dealers, and fleet operators. 

His career includes leadership roles at prominent organizations such as Nationwide Insurance, Liberty Mutual Insurance, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and his current position at Solera. Bill’s profound expertise has established him as a highly respected figure in the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry.  

Before joining Solera, Bill played a pivotal role as the vice president and head of U.S. auto claims strategy at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, contributing significantly to the development of cutting-edge data solutions for claim automation.  His tenure at Liberty Mutual showcased his versatility, with key positions including Head of Auto Physical Damage Claims and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. Notably, in 2011, Bill collaborated with Solera to pioneer the industry’s first photo estimating app, a groundbreaking initiative that laid the foundation for today’s innovative Qapter® AI solution. During his 18-year tenure at Nationwide Insurance Company, Bill held progressively advancing leadership roles, contributing to the company’s success and growth.   

Bill holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, and furthered his education by earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Shorter University in Rome, Georgia.