Volvo Cars at Climate Week NYC 2023: zooming around Manhattan to spread climate advocacy

Climate Week NYC is the world's second-biggest and one of the most high-profile and influential annual sustainability-related events. It’s attended by thousands of delegates from companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), multilateral institutions and governments, all with the ambition to try and find concrete solutions to fight climate change through collaboration.

Because while we have one of the most ambitious climate plans of any legacy car maker and plan to sell only fully electric cars by 2030, we can’t fight climate change alone. It requires coordination and collaboration, and Climate Week NYC is just the type of forum for such talks. This year's edition was particularly important in light of the forthcoming COP28 global climate summit in Dubai. Recent climate reports once again underlined the urgency of the climate emergency and a need for action.

To get the most out of our interactions in New York, we put two of our best sustainability minds on the job. Anders Kärrberg, our global head of sustainability, and Stuart Templar, our global head of stakeholder engagement, spent a week in the Big Apple talking to a lot of similar-minded people. They each attended and spoke at several events that were devoted to a specific industry or area that will require a radical transformation to meet the world’s net zero emission ambitions.

“What struck me is how highly respected Volvo Cars is in the NGO community,” says Anders, when asked to reflect on the week. “People often referenced us for our 100 per cent electrification commitment by 2030, our Steel Zero work and other commitments we’ve made.”

From ambitious plans to meaningful action

We kicked off the week with our plans to stop all production of diesel-powered Volvo cars by early 2024. Announced at an event of the Accelerating to Zero coalition, it was a clear statement of our intent to focus on electrification. It’s also in line with the latest UN Stocktake Report, which states that a switch to electric and phasing out fossil fuel is the most effective way for the automotive industry to cut emissions.

“Our decision to end diesel was very well-received, including by representatives from influential climate NGOs,” says Stuart. “Alongside our bold electrification strategy, we demonstrated real leadership and set an example for other manufacturers to follow.”

Next up, Stuart met with our friends at the Ocean Race and addressed their Ocean Summit (Stuart appears from 1:45.00) at the UN General Assembly to express our support for a moratorium on deep sea mining. While the ocean bed contains plenty of minerals that are used in electric car batteries, we believe that deep sea mining should not happen until we know for certain that it does not damage crucial ecosystems in our seas and oceans.

“Speaking at the UN headquarters was a highlight for me, a very proud moment,” laughs Stuart. “Prior to joining Volvo Cars, I spent 16 years as a diplomat and I never had the opportunity. It was fantastic to hear the reaction from the delegates when I announced our support for a moratorium on deep sea mining. There was some genuine love in the room for our company – some attendees told me afterwards that their next car would be a Volvo!”

A leader in climate advocacy

A panel debate organised by Climate Group focused on the potential for net-zero steel, and Anders shared our experiences in working with Swedish steel producer SSAB to explore near-zero emission, high-quality steel for the automotive industry. It was also great to see a pair of Volvo tread plates, made of SSAB-produced fossil-free steel, being part of an IKEA climate action exhibition that ran throughout the week.

It’s not just us saying that we’re a front runner in corporate climate advocacy. InfluenceMap, an NGO that keeps track of such things, also highlighted us as a ‘future leader’ in this space. Stuart joined an InfluenceMap event to explain our decision to leave European industry organisation ACEA over their stance on phasing out combustion engines, and how our electrification roadmap towards 2030 shows that another, more ambitious approach is possible.

Related to that, Stuart also participated in a roundtable discussion at the launch of the Fossil to Clean campaign, organised by the We Mean Business Coalition. Volvo Cars is an outspoken supporter of both the coalition and this new campaign, which calls on governments to phase out fossil fuels and for companies to do the same. Encouragingly, the CEO of the Coalition mentioned that our climate action has inspired the campaign!

Apart from these dedicated events, Stuart and Anders also had plenty of bilateral discussions with senior representatives from other companies and organisations. Highlights included the ‘Action Speaks’ summit at IKEA’s New York offices, and a Community of Chief Sustainability Officers meeting set up by the World Economic Forum. These and other talks allowed Anders to meet with his counterparts at other companies and compare notes on effective climate actions and policies.

“There were about 15 other Swedish companies present in New York, primarily with their sustainability officers,” says Anders. “They face a lot of the same challenges as we do, so it was very good to speak with an engaged and competent group of people to share and learn from each other. All in all, I believe Climate Week NYC provides us with major opportunities for learnings, competence development, advocacy and networking.”

“Climate Week NYC is a great opportunity to meet a wide range of potentially useful contacts,” adds Stuart. “It’s also a place where you can have some random encounters – mine was with the Duchess of York! But most of all, I think it’s important that we were present and vocal. It helped to boost our reputation and credibility as a truly-purpose driven company among key, influential stakeholders – and importantly, learn from others.”