The Volvo Group announced today that it would join WWF Climate Savers Programme, making it the world’s first vehicle manufacturer to take part in the initiative.
As a WWF partner, the Volvo Group’s truck companies will undertake to reduce the CO2-emissions from vehicles manufactured between 2009 and 2014 by 13 million tons – equal to Sweden’s annual CO2 emissions during a three month period.
“The transport sector has a very large impact on the climate. Voluntary initiatives from this sector are of utmost importance,” says Håkan Wirtén, Secretary General, WWF Sweden. “Volvo Group aims to take leadership in the transport sector’s efforts to combat climate change, and will act as an inspiring example of how climate action and business development can go hand in hand.”
The independent technical experts from Ecofys will monitor this work on a yearly basis and oversee that the Volvo Group complies with its targets.
“The partnership with WWF means that we are raising our already ambitious goals in relation to cutting the CO2 emissions of our products. Our shared vision is that future transport will be CO2-neutral. It won’t be easy, but if anyone can do it – Volvo can,” says Volvo’s CEO Leif Johansson.
More than 10 years ago, WWF created the Climate Savers Programme, a unique programme to mobilize leading multinational companies to cut their CO2 emissions in absolute terms and lead on the issue of climate change. Over the decade more than 20 world-known companies have shown that it’s possible to reduce their carbon footprint while growing both their business and shareholder value.
To be included, companies in the Climate Savers Programme agree to reduce their CO2 emissions in accordance with an individual reduction target defined by WWF, the company and independent technical experts.
The agreed goal must be more ambitious than what the company has planned before, which should position the company to lead its own industry in the reduction of greenhouse gases.
According to Bruce Haase, Acting Head Climate and Business Engagement, WWF International“ WWF works with best-in-class companies in order to effect change throughout the entire sector by pushing sector leaders to take on ever more ambitious CO2 reduction targets. The Climate Savers agreement with Volvo Group is an opportunity to demonstrate that low carbon solutions exist even within sectors that are generally considered difficult.”
The agreement between Volvo Group and WWF will apply to Volvo Group’s truck companies, including its Mack Trucks, Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks, and UD Trucks companies.
The agreement states that:
· The total amount of CO2 emitted during their lifetime by trucks manufactured and sold between 2009 and 2014 will be cut by 13 million tons compared with 2008 models.
· Volvo Group will produce a truck prototype with 20-percent lower fuel consumption than the equivalent 2008 model.
· Volvo Group will be able to offer trucks in the commercial market that run on renewable gas before 2014.
Volvo Group will also reduce CO2 emissions from its production plants by 0.5 million tons (12 percent) before 2014, compared with 2008.
Volvo Group’s environmental initiatives are driven by three integrated factors: legislation in the area, the Volvo Group’s own initiative to create the best products possible without compromising customers or the environment, and external partnerships.
“As the first vehicle manufacturer to be selected to participate in the Climate Savers Programme, we have been presented with a real challenge, yet by focusing on lower CO2-emissions, we believe that we can create more value for our customers’ business while contributing to sustainable development at the same time,” says Volvo’s CEO Leif Johansson.
