As an internationally active vehicle manufacturer, we feel it is our task to stand up for sustainable environmental protection. This responsibility extends from research in future technologies and the development and manufacture of our products, the everyday use of Volkswagen all over the world up to waste prevention in spare parts logistics. For example, we check all production areas for the greatest possible environmental compatibility. We have developed a special form of controlling for this. It ensures that the environmental impacts on soil, water and air fall - just like energy consumption. The result is that the production sites have been certified according to the stringent European EMAS regulation or ISO 14001, which is valid worldwide. And we build the cars that are made there for people who also take their responsibility seriously. | Keeping humanity and nature on the moveVolkswagen and the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) have been working together on the issues of sustainable development and environmentally friendly mobility since 1999. Read more about this project partnership |
Vision becomes realityFuture mobility is one of the most stimulating topics of our time. The key question here: Just how much could the energy consumption of cars be reduced if all the stops were pulled out for efficiency? There is now an answer to this question, and Volkswagen is delivering it in the form of the new XL1. The river of lifeIf you take a walk along the ecological corridor between the nature reserves of Ilkerbruch in the West and Drömling in the East today, you will see greater diversity in the nature on display, including bats like the Greater Noctule or rare species of birds, such as the Northern Wheatear. Read more about species protectionDriving into a new era The vehicle glides through the morning rush-hour traffic and past numerous pedestrians with a quiet purr — and without a single emission. An utopian view of the future? Certainly not. Because if the objectives of the German government are anything to go by, around one million electric vehicles could be found on German roads as early as 2020. Read more about Drives and EnginesVolkswagen combined heat and power plants reduce CO2 emissions "EcoBlue" is the name given at the Salzgitter engine plant to mini power plants that use a cogeneration system to reduce CO2 emissions. Manager Dr. Rudolf Krebs tells us more. Read the interview with Dr. Rudolf Krebs"We want to create fuel for thought"Volkswagen has set its sights on creating efficient and sustainable vehicles for all. For this reason, communication of the Think Blue. strategy began in February this year. This strategy, which underlines the Volkswagen brand's core values (innovative, valuable and responsible), is to be established as an expression of the corporate mindset and a fixed component of Volkswagen brand activities relating to environmentally sustainable trade. Read the interview with Dörte Hartmann-KerlBlueMotionTechnologies: The new umbrella brand of VolkswagenAlready today Volkswagen is making a significant contribution toward protecting our environment and resources tomorrow: by combining mobility with sustainability for people who care about the environment but don’t want to neglect the economical aspect. That’s how we take care of what is really important: nature. Read more about BlueMotionTechnologiesEcoFuel: Fewer exhaust fumes with gas
Volkswagen offers cars that run on natural gas under the “EcoFuel” label. Compared with a conventional petrol engine, the EcoFuel power plant running in natural gas mode produces around 80 percent less carbon monoxide and around 80 percent less nitrous oxides. CO2 emissions are reduced by 23 percent and are below 129 g/km.
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| 15 years of certified environmental management in the Technical Development department at Volkswagen. Recirculation helps Volkswagen conserve a whole cascade of water. Klaus Töpfer talks to Volkswagen sustainability experts. The aim of the Environmental Commendation is to inform our customers, our shareholders and other stakeholders inside and outside the company. Do you remember the first time you rode your bike alone? What a great feeling to ride wherever you please. Volkswagen de México awards research funds and prizes for spe-cies protection What do you think a normal day will be like in the year 2028? What will the car of the future be like? In our future vision, we present to you our ideas about the cars of tomorrow. You can look forward to vehicle concepts bursting with new ideas and innovations. Protection of biological diversity - The topic of the 9th UN Conference on Biodiversity in Bonn. Volkswagen Projects in Nature and Species Conservation The protection of pedestrians is a permanent component of vehicle development at Volkswagen. |
Sustainability Report 2010 (5.2 MB)