Sustainability
Sustainability is as important to Volvo Cars as safety. By working towards climate-neutrality, embracing the circular economy and conducting our business operations responsibly, we help protect the planet and contribute to a fairer society.
Our ambitions
Be a climate-neutral company by 2040
Be a circular business by 2040
Be a recognised leader in ethical and responsible business
How to get there?
Climate action
As a mobility provider we recognise that we are part of the problem of climate change and have a responsibility to act. By reducing emissions across our entire value chain, we are aiming to become a climate-neutral company by 2040.
Reduction of CO₂ emissions 2018-2025
-50%
Tailpipe emissions
-25%
Raw materials and suppliers
-25%
Total operations incl. logistics
-40%
Total reduction per vehicle
Climate-neutral manufacturing
We aim to have climate-neutral manufacturing operations by 2025. Already today our global plants are powered by over 80 per cent climate-neutral electricity. Since 2008, all our European plants have been running on hydro-electric power.
Working with suppliers
Reducing emissions in our supply chain is critical to reaching our climate target. We are encouraging our top suppliers to use 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025 and to develop a more circular approach to materials.
Third-party approval for our climate plan
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)* has approved our ambitious plan to become a climate-neutral company by 2040. According to SBTi, our emissions reduction targets are in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels.
*SBTi is a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
*SBTi is a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Circular economy
The world’s natural resources are limited. This requires a mindset that embraces the circular economy, where the parts and materials used are not only recovered at the end of the car’s useful lifespan but also re-used in the production of new vehicles. That is why we design our cars to minimise waste and make greater use of recycled and bio-based materials.
Recycled materials in all cars
25%
Recycled or bio-based plastic
40%
Recycled aluminium
25%
Recycled steel
Ethical and responsible business
By protecting the wellbeing and rights of our employees, promoting equality and working to minimise environmental and social impacts within our supply chain - we aim to be a recognised leader in ethical and responsible business.
Ethical batteries
We are committed to responsible sourcing of our batteries. As part of that commitment, we are the first car manufacturer to use blockchain technology throughout our entire cobalt supply chain, allowing us to monitor and trace the cobalt used in our batteries.
What is blockchain technology?
A heritage of sustainability
We have worked to reduce our environmental impact over many years. Discover some of the actions we have taken to date.