A KPMG reasonable assurance report has revealed that Continental achieved its target of using 100% green electricity in its production processes in 2020. Last year, the manufacturer purchased four million MWh of green energy, and reduced its direct and indirect global CO2 emissions by 70%, down from 3.2 million metric tons in 2019 to 0.99 million metric tons in 2020. Continental says that several forms of renewable energy were used to help reach the target, including water, sun and wind.
“Sustainable business is the future. With our ambitious goals, we are decisively pursuing the transformation to a sustainable economy,” commented Ariane Reinhart, the Continental executive board member responsible for sustainability. “We are delighted by this objective validation of our work. The result of the audit shows that we take our sustainability ambitions seriously and are meeting the targets we have set ourselves.”
To ensure all the energy used is green in theory and practice, the manufacturer utilized self-generated energy from specially designed green power purchase agreements. Furthermore, energy attribute certificates (EAC) were obtained, enabling energy to be identified and information to be provided on where it originated.
Continental’s transition to using 100% green energy is the first part of an innovation and technology strategy aimed at company-wide decarbonization. Its targets have been recognized by the independent Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as being compatible with the 1.5°C goal set out in the Paris Climate Agreement. The company seeks to achieve carbon neutrality in its 500 sites worldwide by 2040, with investments being made into zero-carbon technology, energy efficiency and green energy. Continental plans that its entire value chain will be carbon neutral by 2050.
“I am delighted with the commitment and motivation shown by all colleagues involved. Climate change is one of the most important challenges of the 21st century, and the preservation of natural resources is vital for ourselves and for future generations. That is why I am proud that we as a company are doing our part,” said Thomas Sewald, head of environmental and climate protection at Continental.
