We Take Ecological Responsibility

Nature

We take ecological responsibility and contribute to the preservation
and protection of nature. 

 

Nature is not only our shared living space but also the foundation of our economy and actions. Healthy ecosystems provide essential resources such as clean water, fertile soil, and fresh air – and therefore require our special protection.

At Volkswagen Financial Services, we have committed ourselves to actively contribute to the protection of nature. We are convinced that protecting nature is not only our responsibility but also an opportunity. By consciously managing natural resources, sustainable value creation can be secured in the long term. Preserving nature protects supply chains, fosters innovation, and strengthens resilience to global challenges.

 

Nature | Our Goals

We have set ourselves ambitious goals. By 2030, we want to make both the direct CO2 emissions of our business operations1 and the direct CO2 emissions of our vehicle portfolio net-carbon-neutral. We are consistently following the motto: avoiding, reducing, offsetting. We continuously monitor and measure our progress. In addition, we offset all unavoidable CO2 emissions through quality-assured climate protection projects run by our project partners Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. and Volkswagen ClimatePartner. 

Vehicle Portfolio

By 2030, the direct  emissions from our portfolio – including all vehicles financed, leased, and rented through us – should be net-carbon-neutral.

Business Operations1

We aim to achieve net-carbon-neutrality in our business operations1 by 2030.

1 Direct CO2 emissions from heating oil and refrigerants, petrol and diesel from company cars; indirect CO2 emissions from district heating and electricity as well as business trips.


Measures at the Braunschweig site and ISO certification

We are consistently advancing the development of our company campus at our headquarters in Braunschweig with a focus on environmental aspects. Already today, we use exclusively certified electricity from renewable energy sources for our properties. Heating is provided by the local utility company’s regenerative district heating system. Furthermore, the company campus has been designed to be more nature-friendly to increase biodiversity. Additionally, the entire company headquarters in Braunschweig is fully equipped with charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, including a charging station for e-bikes.

A systematic approach to sustainability: Volkswagen Financial Services has implemented an ISO 14001 certified environmental management system at the Braunschweig site. Based on this system, we record, evaluate, and minimize the environmental impacts of our business operations. The system helps us systematically improve our energy and resource balance.

We are part of the Volkswagen Group's
environmental policy

On the path from an automobile manufacturer to a mobility company, the Volkswagen Group follows its NEW AUTO strategy. The goal is to become a globally leading provider of sustainable mobility. For the Group, sustainability means pursuing economic, social, and ecological goals equally and simultaneously. We aim to create lasting value, provide good working conditions, and handle the environment and resources with care (read more).

Moreover, the Volkswagen Group's environmental policy sets the framework for the environmental activities of the brands. For Volkswagen Financial Services, this shared environmental policy means aligning our core business with these principles and thereby supporting the Group in achieving its environmental goals.

 


Our project partner:
Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (NABU)

For more than 15 years, Volkswagen Financial Services has been working together with Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (NABU) to protect and restore peatlands. Peatlands play a crucial role in both climate protection and biodiversity. So far, Volkswagen Financial Services has invested around seven million euros in peatland protection projects.

Additionally, Volkswagen Financial Services is involved in the restoration of rivers – for example, in the Schunteraue in Braunschweig, the Aller near Verden, and the Dosse and Temnitz in Brandenburg. The goal is to restore the original course of the rivers that have often been straightened, allowing typical species and habitat diversity to return.

Our project partner:
Volkswagen Climate Partner

As part of supporting international nature and climate protection projects, we work closely with Volkswagen Climate Partner. The joint venture between VW Kraftwerk AG GmbH and Climate Partner aims to develop high-quality projects focused on efficiently reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the positive impact on biodiversity and local communities and their livelihoods is central. A comprehensive due diligence process ensures the high quality and concrete implementation of the projects. Volkswagen Financial Services AG is currently investing in two flagship projects in Brazil (Biriba) and South Africa (Eastern Cape).