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 carbon emissions of approximately 3000000000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, 500000000 kg CO2e for Scope 2 (market-based), and a staggering 408580000000 kg CO2e for Scope 3 emissions. This represents a significant portion of their overall carbon footprint, with Scope 3 emissions primarily arising from the use of sold products, accounting for about 296904121000 kg CO2e. Volkswagen has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for a 30% reduction in carbon emissions per vehicle by 2030 compared to 2018 levels, as confirmed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Additionally, the company targets a 50.4% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, also relative to 2018. These targets reflect Volkswagen's commitment to align with global climate goals, aiming for net carbon neutrality by 2050. In previous years, Volkswagen's emissions were notably higher, with Scope 1 emissions at approximately 3600000000 kg CO2e in 2023 and 4480000000 kg CO2e in 2022. The company has made strides in reducing emissions from its production processes, with a target to cut emissions per vehicle by 50% by 2025 compared to 2010 levels. Volkswagen's climate strategy is comprehensive, addressing emissions across all scopes, with a particular focus on reducing the carbon footprint of its vehicles throughout their lifecycle. The company's initiatives are cascaded from its parent organization, Volkswagen AG, which oversees these sustainability efforts globally.
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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 | 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