Team size: Six

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

Regarding sustainability, in June 2023, in the framework of Environment Month, we announced our sustainability plan in Costa Rica, which incorporated two actions: first, the launch of the Electric Mobility Fund (EMF), a new tool to boost electromobility through projects and partnerships; and second, carbon credits offset 100% of the carbon footprint emitted in trips through the Uber app in Costa Rica.

These initiatives are part of Uber’s global commitment, which seeks that by 2040, 100% of trips and deliveries worldwide will be made in emission-free vehicles, public transport, or micro-mobility options.

In September 2023, we achieved the first partnerships resulting from the EMF kick-off, where Uber joined forces with: the Foundation for Sustainability and Equity ALIARSE, who serves as partner and manager of the first EMF project and; Eco-Fleet, a fleet partner, who initiated a pilot to include electric vehicles in a rental model with an option to purchase at competitive prices for collaborating partners.

Our first goal with the EMF was to end up with 100% electric vehicles within the app. Thanks to these alliances, because of the EFM, we doubled the goal, closing 2023 with 300 electric vehicles.

We have created a team of cross-functional representatives from various departments, including operations, communications, business development, policy, tax and legal. The goal of this team is to achieve sustainability objectives in the region. Together, we have devised a sustainability plan for Costa Rica, considering both the bigger picture and the more minor details.

Our decision to focus on Costa Rica as a pilot country was due to the need to delve deeper and pay close attention to the specifics that have hindered Uber from expanding its green vision. By combining our findings with insights from other Uber markets, we have developed a sustainability plan that will promote the use of EVs in the country. This plan is scalable and can be adapted to meet the needs of other ACAC markets.

From the commercial legal standpoint, it was a highly complex project that involved negotiating various agreements with third parties, both with the NGO and the fleet partner, to ensure a minimum quantity of electric vehicles for a sustainable launch. Furthermore, the importance of collaborating with other internal cross-functional teams, such as the Communication and Public Policy Departments, to ensure the promotion of the project in the best possible way.

As a tech platform, we carry environmental responsibility and a firm commitment to sustainability. We recognise that technology plays a key role in the fight against climate change. That’s why our vision is clear: by 2040, we aim to make every trip taken through the Uber app 100% emission-free. Costa Rica has always been a country at the forefront of sustainability issues. This has led us to innovate products and services that contribute to this objective and align with Uber’s global goals.