First Volvo manufacturing plant goes carbon neutral

The Swedish car manufacturer, Volvo, has revealed that one of its engine factories has achieved the feat of going entirely carbon neutral.

The plant, in the town of Skövde, is the first of the company’s manufacturing sites to achieve the status. The announcement represents the first hurdle towards the company’s ambitious plan to make its entire global operations climate neutral by 2025.

“Improving energy efficiency is our first priority and then, for the energy we need to use, we aim for supplies generated from renewable sources,” said Javier Varela, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Logistics at Volvo Cars.

The milestone was achieved earlier this month when the company signed an agreement to ensure all of the plant’s heating came from renewable sources: waste incineration, biomass and recycled bio-fuel. Since 2008, all of the plant’s electricity has also come from renewable energy.

Stuart Templar, Director for Sustainability at Volvo Cars, commented: “The Skövde plant achievement is an important addition to our broader efforts in minimising our environmental footprint. We are pleased to be a leader within the automotive industry in the move towards climate-neutral manufacturing.”

He added: “Environmental care is one of our core values. Along with our plan to electrify all new Volvo cars launched from 2019, climate-neutral manufacturing operations will significantly reduce our overall carbon footprint, supporting global efforts to tackle climate change.”

Mr. Varela said that the company’s achievement was just the start of ongoing work to reduce the company’s carbon footprint: “We will continue to work actively with our energy suppliers in all regions to secure further access to renewable energy for our manufacturing plants”.

It is thought that the Skövde plant is one of only a handful of such climate friendly manufacturing plants in Europe.

 

Image Credit: Volvo