Volvo Construction Equipment and Volvo Buses have joined the Volvo Group’s
cooperation with WWF Climate Savers The cooperation is based on the Volvo
Group’s commitment to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by 30 million tons from
construction equipment, buses and trucks manufactured through 2014. Volvo’s
joint-venture company, SDLG, which manufactures construction equipment in China,
will also become the first-ever Chinese company to be a member of Climate
Savers.
“By expanding the partnership with the WWF to include our buses and construction
equipment, the Volvo Group demonstrates that it is serious about continuously
raising the targets in terms of reducing carbon-dioxide emissions from our
products, by complying with our vision for sustainable and carbon-neutral future
transportation,” says Volvo’s CEO Olof Persson.
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected environmental
organizations, whose vision is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural
environment and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
WWF’s Climate Savers program involves multinational companies in the battle to
reduce carbon-dioxide emissions. These companies pledge to reduce their
carbon-dioxide emissions pursuant to an agreement between the WWF and the
company. The results will be reviewed by independent technical experts. The
agreed target must be more ambitious than the company would have set on its own,
and must also signify that the company is leading its sector in the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions.
“Emissions in the transport sector have a major impact on the climate and must
be met with vigorous initiatives. It is therefore very encouraging that the
Volvo Group now wants to broaden their cooperation with WWF by expanding to new
business areas", said Håkan Wirtén, Secretary General of WWF Sweden.
In autumn 2010, the Volvo Group became the world’s first automotive manufacturer
to join Climate Savers, in an agreement whereby the Group’s truck brands
committed to reduce the total amount of CO2 emitted during the lifetime of
trucks manufactured and sold from 2009 to 2014, by 13 million tons, compared to
trucks manufactured in 2008. This will be accomplished by launching the latest
technology in fuel efficiency.
In the next step, starting January 1, 2012, Volvo Construction Equipment and
Volvo Buses will be included in the agreement. Thanks to improved fuel
efficiency, the total amount of CO2 emitted by trucks, construction equipment
and buses manufactured within the Volvo Group through 2014, will be reduced by
more than 30 million tons, compared to vehicles manufactured in 2008. 30 million
tons is the equivalent of the total carbon dioxide emitted by Sweden in a seven
month period.
The agreement between Volvo and WWF applies for AB Volvo and the Volvo Group’s
brands Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Buses, Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks,
(http://www.macktrucks.com/)Renault Trucks (http://www.renault-trucks.com/), UD
Trucks (http://www.udtrucks.com/) and SDLG. SDLG manufactures construction
equipment in China, and will be the first Chinese company ever to join Climate
Savers.
“I am incredibly proud of all the skilled and committed employees worldwide, who
make it possible for the Volvo Group to continuously make the progress necessary
to be in the forefront of reducing carbon-dioxide emissions. By setting tough
environmental targets, we contribute to sustainable development, while our
products become more competitive and we reduce fuel costs for our customers,”
says Volvo’s CEO Olof Persson.
In addition, Volvo Buses has also committed to expand the number of field tests
with plug-in hybrid buses during the commitment period. The plug-in technology
has excellent fuel-savings potential for city buses.
During the development of fuel-saving technology, Volvo Construction Equipment
will prepare a new prototype with additionally improved fuel performance,
compared with existing models.
The agreement between Volvo and WWF also states that:
• Volvo will develop a new truck prototype with 20% lower fuel consumption than
a corresponding truck manufactured in 2008.
• Prior to 2014, Volvo will offer the commercial market trucks that operate on
renewable gas.
• The Volvo Group will also reduce CO2 emissions from its production plants by
0.2 million tons (12%) before 2014, compared with 2008.
Independent technical experts will monitor and control that the Volvo Group is
complying with its commitments.
The Volvo Group works continuously to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from
products and production units, an effort that includes technologies for
enhancing fuel efficiency and finding alternative fuels. Major resources are
spent on developing such alternative drivelines as hybrid solutions and engines
that are optimized for renewable fuels.
In 2007, the Volvo Group presented the world’s first carbon-neutral automotive
plant in Ghent, Belgium, where the electricity derives from wind power. The
long-term objective is to make all facilities carbon-neutral.
The Volvo Group’s environmental effort is driven forward by three concurrent
factors: legislation in the area; the Volvo Group’s own initiative to create the
best possible products with respect to customers and the environment, and
cooperation with external partners.
February 17, 2012
