Environmental Footprint

The environmental footprint from our operations is relatively small compared to that from the use phase of our products. Nevertheless, we are constantly considering climate and the environmental footprint from our industrial activities. As we strive for more sustainable production, we continuously reduce waste and emissions, optimize water use and improve our handling of solvents, oils and chemicals.

Renewable energy sources

Renewable energy sources

One impactful measure is to replace fossil energy with renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass and biofuels. The Volvo Group has production facilities in 18 countries and approximately 100 sites around the world. Currently, five of our sites are certified as renewable energy facilities powered by 100% renewable energy. 

Although renewable energy is not yet available in all markets, we foresee an increase in supply throughout the world. When available at acceptable conditions, renewable energy is always our first choice. 

On our way towards sustainable production our next milestone is to reach 65% renewable energy for our fully owned operations across the world (offices, production sites, warehouses and logistics centers) by 2025.

WWF’s Climate Savers partnership

WWF’s Climate Savers partnership

Our journey to reduce CO2 started long ago, and the Volvo Group became the first automotive manufacturer in the world to join the WWF’s Climate Savers initiative in 2010. Two of the ambitions during 2015-2020 has been to increase renewable energy usage and to implement energy saving activities. 

The strategy has served us well and at the end of 2019, the absolute scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions have been reduced by over 30% since 2013. 

This confirms our way ahead towards sustainable production, and we will continue to implement yearly energy saving activities corresponding to 150 GWh 2021-2025. 

Environmental Performance
Absolute values related to net sales
 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
 2014
Energy consumption (GWh; MWh/SEK M)1
 2,118;
5.1		 2,196; 5.8 2,068; 6.4
 2,076; 7.1
 2,077; 6.8
 2,168; 7.9
Direct CO2 emissions, scope 1 (1,000 tons; tons/SEK M)1
 211;
0.5
 223; 0.6
 207; 0.6
 211; 0.7
 220; 0.7
 231; 0.8
Indirect CO2 emissions, scope 2 (1,000 tons; tons/SEK M)1
 113; 
0.3
 198; 0.5  192; 0.6 196; 0.7 192; 0.6 218; 0.8
Water consumption (1,000 m3; m3/SEK M)
 5,706;
13.6
 4,870; 12.9 4,817; 14.9 4,430; 15.2 4,919; 16.2 4,982; 18.1
NOX emissions (tons; kilos/SEK M)
 311;
0.7		 360; 1.0 301; 0.9 333; 1.1 344; 1.3 332; 1.2
Solvent emissions (tons; kilos/SEK M)
 1,488;
3.6
 2,148; 5.7 1,681; 5.2 1,792; 6.1 1,885; 6.2 2,472; 9.0
Sulphur dioxide ­emissions (tons; kilos/SEK M)
 9.6;
0.02		 13.6; 0.04 13.3; 0.04 12.9; 0.04 32.1; 0.1
 37.9; 0.1
Hazardous waste (tons; kg/SEK M)
 51,724;
122.0		 38,601; 102.0 31,941; 98.6 27,649; 94.9 27,824; 91.6 24,944; 90.4
Net sales, SEK bn
 418.4 378.3 323.8 291.5 303.6 276.0
  1. From 2012 revised system boundaries and emission factors.

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Fossil free transport solutions

Read more about our products environmental footprint and the performance of our sustainable manufacturing.

Environmental Policy

Environmental progress is a key element in our mission to drive prosperity through transport and infrastructure solutions.

Construction Climate Challenge

The Construction Climate Challenge is hosted by Volvo Construction Equipment to drive sustainability specifically in the construction industry value chain.