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 412.1 billion kg CO2e, comprising 3 billion kg CO2e from Scope 1, 500 million kg CO2e from Scope 2, and about 408.6 billion kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. This marks a significant reduction from 2023, where total emissions were approximately 433.4 billion kg CO2e, with Scope 1 at 3.6 billion kg CO2e, Scope 2 at 700 million kg CO2e, and Scope 3 at about 429.1 billion kg CO2e. Volkswagen has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for a 30% reduction in overall emissions by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. This target is supported by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which has confirmed that Volkswagen's objectives align with limiting global warming to 1.5 °C for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and to 2 °C for Scope 3 emissions. Specifically, Volkswagen aims to reduce Scope 3 emissions from the use of sold products by 30% per vehicle by 2030. Additionally, Volkswagen has committed to reducing absolute GHG emissions in production (Scope 1 and 2) by 50.4% by 2030, compared to 2018 levels. By 2024, the company had already achieved a 51% reduction in these emissions. Furthermore, Volkswagen aims for net carbon neutrality by 2050, with a long-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 2018. This data reflects Volkswagen's ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint across all operations, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing climate change.
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Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 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.
Stellantis
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Volkswagen's sustainability data and climate commitments