Renault Commits to Carbon Neutral Targets

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

27th April 2021

Renault has committed to becoming carbon neutral in Europe by 2040 and worldwide in 2050.

The pledge is part of the automaker’s ‘Renaulution’ production strategy and builds on three major pillars integrated into the company’s business: the ecological transition, the safety of customers on the road and employees in the workplace and inclusion by improving employability and having more women in the workforce. It has already committed to vehicle electrification, with BEVs accounting for 65% of sales by 2025 and 90% in 2030 for the Renault brand itself in Europe.

Its latest ecological transition initiatives include:

Commitments to reducing its procurement carbon footprint by focusing efforts on six components (steel, aluminum, polymers, electronics, tires, and glass) that currently account for 90% of the procurement carbon footprint. Carbon pricing will be put in place to encourage the entire ecosystem to produce more sustainably. By 2030, the Group is aiming to reduce the carbon footprint associated with its purchases by 30% (as CO2 per kg of material);
Assembled in France with carbon free energy, the 2025 roll out of the R5 will include more sustainable batteries that boast a reduced carbon footprint of at least 20% (compared to ZOE in 2020). It is also working to secure a responsible and sustainable supply of minerals partnering with Veolia and Solvay for the recycling of metals found in batteries in a closed loop (cobalt, nickel, lithium, etc.);
On the manufacturing side, the it aims to reduce emissions from facilities by 50% worldwide compared to 2019. To reach this target, the company will invest in its industrial facilities, hoping to generate operation cost savings through reduced energy bills and avoided penalties for excess emissions. Electro-Northpole facilities will be carbon neutral by 2025, with remaining facilities in Europe following suit by 2030;
Vehicle dismantling and part recycling, including batteries, at the Re-Factory in Flins and Renault Environment subsidiaries is also expected to generate more than €1Bn ($1.2Bn) in sales by 2030.

Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, said: “Developed with the company’s teams, and according to our values of innovation and solidarity, this action plan is supported by a group of executive committee members and will be fully integrated into our activities.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_

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