Volvo’s land-based operations commit to long-term sustainable development and carbon cuts
SWEDEN Volvo Buses and Volvo Construction Equipment have joined Volvo Group’s co-operation with the Worldwide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) Climate Savers programme. It is based on Volvo Group’s commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 30m tonnes from construction equipment, buses and trucks manufactured through 2014.
Volvo’s CEO Olof Persson said: “By expanding the partnership with the WWF to include our buses and construction equipment, the Volvo Group demonstrates 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 carbonneutral future transportation.”
WWF’s Climate Savers programme involves multinational companies working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. They pledge to reduce emissions in an agreement with WWF. Agreed targets must be more ambitious than the company would have set on its own and must also signify 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 very encouraging the Volvo Group now wants to broaden its co-operation with WWF by expanding to new business areas.” said Håkan Wirtén, secretary general of WWF Sweden.
In autumn 2010, Volvo Group became the world’s first automotive manufacturer to join Climate Savers.
The proposed CO2 reduction 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, Renault Trucks, UD Trucks and SDLG – which manufactures construction equipment in China, and will be the first Chinese company ever to join Climate Savers.
Volvo Buses has also committed to expand field tests with plug-in hybrids during the commitment period. The plug-in technology has excellent fuel-savings potential for city buses.
