Volkswagen Sustainability Profile
Volkswagen AG, commonly known as Volkswagen, is a leading automotive manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Founded in 1937, the company has evolved into a global powerhouse in the automotive industry, with significant operations across Europe, North America, and Asia. Volkswagen is renowned for its diverse range of vehicles, including the iconic Volkswagen Beetle and the popular Golf, which exemplify quality engineering and innovative design. The company is committed to sustainability, investing heavily in electric vehicle technology and digital mobility solutions. With a strong market position, Volkswagen consistently ranks among the top automotive brands worldwide, achieving notable milestones such as the introduction of the ID. series, which marks its transition towards electric mobility. As a pioneer in the automotive sector, Volkswagen continues to shape the future of transportation.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Volkswagen's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Industry Average
Mean score of companies in the Motor Vehicle Manufacturing industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Industry Benchmark
Volkswagen's score of 89 is higher than 94% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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Volkswagen's reported carbon emissions
In 2024, Volkswagen reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 411.6 billion kg CO2e, comprising 3 billion kg CO2e from Scope 1, 2.6 billion kg CO2e from Scope 2 (location-based), and about 408.6 billion kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. This reflects a significant commitment to reducing emissions across all scopes, with a target to cut absolute GHG emissions in production (Scopes 1 and 2) by 50.4% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Volkswagen has set ambitious climate commitments, including a long-term goal of achieving net carbon neutrality by 2050. The company aims to reduce CO2 emissions from the use of sold products (Scope 3) by 30% per vehicle by 2030, a target confirmed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as aligned with limiting global warming to 2°C. In terms of recent achievements, Volkswagen has already reduced its absolute GHG emissions by 51% compared to 2018 levels by 2024. The company is on track to meet its near-term targets, which include a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 as part of its broader sustainability strategy. Volkswagen's emissions data is cascaded from its parent company, Volkswagen AG, which oversees the company's climate initiatives and reporting. The commitment to sustainability is further underscored by the company's focus on reducing emissions from production processes and the lifecycle of its vehicles.
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| 2010 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 4,320,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | - | - | - | - | - | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 | 000,000,000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is Volkswagen's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is Volkswagen's Location?
Volkswagen's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
Volkswagen's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 5% last year and increased by approximately 29% since 2015, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Nearly all of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing nearly all emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Use of Sold Products" being the largest emissions source at 73% of Scope 3 emissions.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Volkswagen's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Volkswagen has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Volkswagen's sustainability data and climate commitments