GOTHENBURG, Sweden — The Volvo Group has joined the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) Climate Savers Program – the world’s first vehicle manufacturer to do so, according to company officials. As a partner of the environmental organization, the Volvo Group’s truck companies will be working to reduce the CO2 emissions from vehicles manufactured between 2009 and 2014 by 13 million tonnes. Independent technical experts will oversee the results. 

“The partnership with WWF means that we are raising our already ambitious goals in relation to cutting the CO2 emissions of our products,” says Volvo’s CEO Leif Johansson. “Our shared vision is that future transport will be CO2-neutral. It won’t be easy, but if anyone can do it – Volvo can.”

The WWF Climate Savers Program is mobilizing multinational companies to cut their emissions of CO2. The “Climate Savers” companies promise to reduce their CO2emissions in accordance with an agreement between the WWF, the company and independent technical experts. The agreed goal must be more ambitious than what the company has planned before, and also means that the company will lead its own industry in the reduction of greenhouse gases.

The agreement between The Volvo Group and WWF will apply for the Volvo Group’s truck companies Mack Trucks, Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks, and UD Trucks, and states that:

– The total amount of CO2 emitted during their lifetime by trucks manufactured and sold between 2009 and 2014 will be cut by 13 million tonnes compared with 2008 models by introducing fuel economy technologies. The amount equals the total amount that is being emitted from Sweden in three months.

– Volvo will produce a truck prototype with 20% lower fuel consumption than the equivalent 2008 model.

– Volvo will be able to offer trucks in the commercial market that run on renewable gas before 2014.
 
– The Volvo Group will also reduce CO2 emissions from its production plants by 0.5 million tonnes (12%) before 2014, compared with 2008.

Independent technical experts will annually monitor and oversee that the Volvo Group complies with its undertaking.

“This is the first time we’ve engaged an outside party – in this case, the world’s largest environmental organization – to oversee that we deliver what we’ve promised. That is unique for a global vehicle manufacturer,” says Leif Johansson.

“As the first vehicle manufacturer to be selected to participate in the Climate Savers Program we have been presented with a real challenge, but by focusing on lower CO2-emissions, we believe that we can create more value for our customers’ business while contributing to sustainable development at the same time.”