Forbes recently released its inaugural Sustainability Leaders List, which notably did not include Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and CEO of Tesla. The list is focused on individuals who have made ongoing impacts in the sustainability space in the past two years, and Musk did not meet the criteria. Despite Musk’s early contributions to making electric vehicles popular with the introduction of the Tesla Roadster in 2008, his recent performance has not been as strong.
One of the main reasons for Musk’s exclusion from the list is the decline of Tesla, once a leader in the electric car industry. Tesla’s profits have been decreasing for four consecutive quarters, and the company has faced challenges with the launch of new models like the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck has been plagued by delays, manufacturing issues, and recalls, raising concerns about its impact on sustainability due to the large amounts of energy and materials required to produce the vehicle compared to other EVs.
Additionally, Tesla’s Tesla Semi has been significantly delayed, leaving customers waiting while competitors in the commercial fleet market are fulfilling orders. Musk’s decision to slow the growth of Tesla’s Supercharger network, a key competitive asset for the company, could hinder the growth of the electric vehicle market in the U.S. Musk’s focus on developing humanoid robots instead of cars and the company’s environmental impact in Germany, where it cut down nearly half a million trees to build a battery factory, have also raised concerns.
Musk’s takeover of Twitter has further contributed to concerns about his commitment to sustainability goals, as he has dismantled parts of the trust and safety team and loosened restrictions against misinformation. This has led to a surge in climate denialism on the platform. SpaceX, another company led by Musk, has faced government inquiries regarding its environmental record, with allegations of violations of the Clean Water Act at its Starbase facility in Texas.
Overall, Musk’s recent actions and statements suggest a lack of focus on environmental and sustainability issues. Forbes plans to release a new edition of the Sustainability Leaders List annually, with a focus on recent, impactful actions. If Musk changes course and demonstrates a renewed commitment to sustainability, he may be considered for inclusion in future lists. At present, however, he is not considered a leader in the environmental space.
