The car company is improving its climate targets. It is also about business sustainability. BMW wants to counter the ongoing scarcity of raw materials with more recycling.
BMW has once again tightened its climate targets, which were decided just a year ago: The CO2 footprint of cars from raw materials to decommissioning is to be reduced by 2030 not just by 33 percent, but “by at least 40 percent”, the company said on Thursday in Munich with.
In addition to the ramp-up of electromobility, the recycling of expensive raw materials should help.
“It’s not just about ecological, but also about economic sustainability,” said CEO Oliver Zipse. “Because the current development of raw material prices shows what effects an industry that is dependent on limited resources must expect.” BMW expects additional costs of at least half a billion euros for raw materials this year. Today almost 30 percent of the cars are made from recycled material, the goal for the model generations from 2025 is 50 percent. The «Spiegel» had previously reported on the plans.
With the growing share of e-cars, the demand for cobalt, nickel, aluminum and other raw materials is increasing. In addition to availability and rising prices, sustainability also speaks for a circular economy: “In 2017, mankind consumed more than 100 billion tons of raw materials within a year for the first time – we must also counter this trend in the automotive industry,” said Zipse. Secondary material is significantly less CO2 intensive.
At the IAA auto show next week, the group wants to make the circular economy its leitmotif. BMW is committed to the goal of climate neutrality across the entire value chain by 2050 at the latest, said Zipse. The company has tied the executive board salaries to the achievement of the climate targets.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
