Volvo Car AB (publ.)
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Circular Economy
- Ethical and Responsible Business
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced average lifecycle CO2 emissions per car by 9.5% since 2018.
- Torslanda (Sweden) manufacturing plant became the first climate-neutral car plant.
- Daqing (China) plant secured a 100% climate-neutral electricity supply.
Social Achievements
- Launched Family Bond, a global paid parental leave offer for all employees.
- Employee engagement at 76%.
Governance Achievements
- Successful IPO on Nasdaq Stockholm.
- Introduced an internal carbon price of 1,000 SEK per tonne CO2.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Climate-neutral company by 2040.
- Circular business by 2040.
Medium-term Goals:
- 50% of global sales to be fully electric by mid-decade.
- Climate-neutral manufacturing operations by 2025.
- 60% reduction of absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions (baseline 2019).
- 52% reduction of scope 3 GHG emissions from use of sold products per vehicle kilometre (baseline 2019).
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce total lifecycle CO2 emissions per car by 40% between 2018 and 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- Global shortage of semiconductors leading to temporary production halts.
- Covid-19 pandemic impacting supply chains and production.
- Increased public expectations on corporate responsibility.
Mitigation Strategies
- Adjusted production plans to focus on higher-margin vehicles.
- Developed strategies to secure critical raw materials and improve supply chain oversight.
- Implemented a strong corporate culture that focuses on ethics and responsible leadership.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Aim for 100% climate-neutral energy at Tier 1 supplier sites by 2025.
- Focus on recycled and fossil-free production of materials.
- Responsible sourcing of materials like cobalt, lithium, nickel, and mica using blockchain technology.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- More frequent and severe natural disasters.
Transition Risks
- Market shift and consumer behavior in electrification transformation.
- Stringent legislation and regulations.
- Changes in consumer demand.
Opportunities
- Leadership in the fast-growing premium electric segment.
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards (Core level), UN Global Compact, TCFD
Third-party Assurance: Deloitte AB (limited assurance)
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- C40 Recharge (fully electric)
- Concept Recharge (sustainable materials)
Awards & Recognition
- CDP Climate Change A List
- CDP Supplier Engagement Leader
- S&P Global CSA Bronze
- EcoVadis Platinum
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Renewable Energy Share:98% (climate neutral electricity in own operations)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Action
- Circular Economy
- Responsible Business
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced average lifecycle CO2 emissions per vehicle by 20% compared to 2018 baseline.
- Launched the EX30, designed to have the lowest carbon footprint of any Volvo car to date.
- Introduced renewable fuel in all intercontinental ocean container transport for inbound components and spare parts to Europe, China, and the US.
- Secured supply of climate-neutral electricity in production facilities in Kuala Lumpur and Charleston.
- Achieved 2030 Scope 1 and 2 SBTi target, reducing emissions by 65% compared to the 60% target.
Social Achievements
- Improved employee engagement score by +1 compared to the global benchmark.
- Increased share of women in senior leadership to 30.1%.
- Employee injury rate (LTCR) of 0.06.
- Conducted enhanced human rights due diligence activities with 68 audits at directly contracted suppliers and 20 in the battery supply chain.
- Joined the Responsible Mica Initiative.
Governance Achievements
- Established a new business unit called Volvo Cars Energy Solutions.
- Successfully placed an inaugural green bond transaction in the SEK market, raising SEK 1,500m.
- Updated Green Financing Framework.
- Transitioned the UK market to a direct model.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce CO2 emissions by 75% per average vehicle by 2030 (from 2018 baseline)
- Reduce energy usage in operations by 40% per average vehicle by 2030 (from 2018 baseline)
- Achieve 30% recycled content average across the fleet and 35% for new vehicle models by 2030
- Reach >99% waste reused or recycled by 2030
- Reduce water withdrawal per manufactured vehicle in own operations by 50% by 2030 (from 2018 baseline)
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce CO2 emissions by 40% per average vehicle by 2025 (from 2018 baseline)
- Achieve 50% fully electric vehicle sales by 2025
- Generate SEK 1 billion from circular economy initiatives by 2025 (from 2018 baseline)
- Reach climate neutral energy in own operations by 2025
Environmental Challenges
- Challenges with market shift, intense competition and consumer behaviour in electrification transformation.
- Lack of strategic competencies.
- Geopolitical tensions and regionalisation resulting in increased tax/duties/tariffs and export controls.
- Cybersecurity threats.
- Business interruption.
Mitigation Strategies
- Divestment of Aurobay (ICE legacy business), launch of fully electric vehicles.
- Strengthen People Plan process, defining clear talent journey, establishment of Talent sourcing team, Site Strategy.
- Global presence, building where we sell and source where we build.
- Governance model, cybersecurity program.
- Product strategy to provide consumer options less dependent on individual sites.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 68 audits at directly contracted suppliers and 20 in the battery supply chain in 2023
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Conduct for Business Partners
- Risk-based human rights due diligence
- Traceability of materials of concern
- Blockchain technology for battery raw material traceability
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Flooding
- Storms
- Heat stress
- Earthquakes
Transition Risks
- Market shift and consumer behaviour in electrification transformation
- Changes in consumer demand
- Increased speed and scope of new legislation and policies regulating environmental impact
- Securing fossil-free electricity throughout the value chain
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- New business opportunities in sustainable energy solutions
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards
Certifications: ISO 9001
Third-party Assurance: Deloitte AB (limited assurance)
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- EX30
- EM90
- EX90
Awards & Recognition
- The Sun’s Car of the Year (EX30)
- CDP Climate A-list