Volvo Cars has been recognised for its sustainability strategy by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing an A-score for its actions aimed at cutting emissions, lessening climate risks and becoming a climate-neutral company.
This places Volvo Cars in the highest tier of CDP’s climate change list, together with only a smaller number of global companies. More than 13,000 companies around the world took part by disclosing data on their environmental impacts, risks and opportunities, and Volvo Cars’ high score reflects its position as a leader in environmental ambition and climate action.
“We are very proud to see that our hard work to cut emissions and becoming climate neutral is being recognised by CDP,” said Volvo Cars, head of global sustainability, Anders Kärrberg. “Receiving the prestigious A-score shows that we are on the right track, and hopefully we can inspire other companies to do even more.”
Volvo Cars aim to be a fully electric car maker by 2030, before the ban of engines in Europe, and plans an aggressive roll out of new-generation electric vehicles with the replacement of the XC90 due in the coming months. Volvo also sees the longer-term benefits of changing the seat upholstery to non-animal material.
Shifting to electric power also means partnering with Northvolt to develop and produce sustainable batteries that will reduce the carbon impact, responsible sourcing of raw materials and even remanufacture or reuse batteries. A new ‘Gigafactory’ will also be built in Europe, where the site will be powered by 100% clean energy and is expected to employ around 3,000 people, with production scheduled to start in 2026.
Volvo says that by producing batteries near its own manufacturing facilities in Europe, it can reduce the environmental footprint attributable to battery sourcing and production for its future cars.
At the recently concluded UN Climate Change Conference COP26, Volvo Cars became the first automaker to announce the introduction of an internal carbon price of SEK1,000 (approx. RM465) a tonne as part of attempts to ensure all future projects are sustainable. The company aims to be climate neutral by 2040.
