sustainability campaign: motive

Sustainability.

We make the BMW GROUP sustainable.

The BMW Group is continuing to design the future and is constantly driving sustainability forwards with its innovations. The circular economy is the key to conserving resources and reducing carbon emissions. For us, circularity in particular means that at the end of their use phase, vehicles are used as a source of raw materials for new cars.

Our vehicles are already made from up to 30 per cent recycled and reused materials on average. We would like to continue increasing this amount. Fundamental research, detailed development and a clear focus on sustainability are employed to investigate each production process and find alternative raw materials. We are concentrating on raw materials that are procured in a responsible way, processed carbon-free or at least low in carbon and highly recyclable. In our search for innovative solutions, we adopt new perspectives and rethink conventional approaches. Our aspiration and our promise: we turn things around.

sustainability campaign: motive cactus

Cactus saves water and CO2.

This cactus doesn’t hurt you when you sit on it. After all, it has already been processed: a soft, yet robust material has been made from powdered cactus fibres. The BMW Group is developing as part of research projects high-quality leather alternatives with various start-ups, including DeserttexTM from Mexico. The bio-based PU (polyurethane) coating of the material consists of 30% cactus fibers. Numerous high-quality textiles for seats and interior surfaces are already available to choose from. Vegan interiors are on trend. The BMW Group has now also created a vegan steering wheel that fulfils all requirements in terms of look and feel, wear resistance and longevity, with no methane gas production, no waste water from a tannery and a huge saving on CO2.

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sustainability campaign: motive pet

From a plastic bottle to the top of a new BMW.

Headliners, padding fabric, seats, floor mats and floor coverings: all these elements contain homogeneous recycled plastic – recycled PET bottles, to be precise. This material already makes up 20 per cent of the thermoplastic components in a new vehicle. Some plastic components are already made from 100 per cent secondary materials. Using secondary materials instead of primary materials reduces CO2 emissions in the production of thermoplastic components by between 50 and 80 per cent. Over the long term, we want to stop using crude oil at the BMW Group, which is why we are working on the automated sorting of raw materials and efficient disassembly procedures with partner companies all over the world, as well as researching technologies that facilitate an economical closed material loop for plastics.

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Oliver Zipse

Sustainability and economic success go hand in hand at the BMW Group. As a premium manufacturer, we have the ambition to lead the way in the area of sustainability.

Oliver Zipse

Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG

Our Holistic Approach to Sustainability in a movie.

Wirklich nachhaltig dank 360-Grad-Ansatz.
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A graphic with Eiffel Tower and ascending numbers. 2019 52t CO2 per vehicle, 2030 -40%, 2050 climate neutrality.

BMW Group commits to goal of total climate neutrality by latest 2050.

The BMW Group has set itself a firm and verifiable interim goal for 2030 throughout its entire value chain: to reduce CO2 emissions from its vehicles by at least 40 percent – starting with the raw material, through the supply chain, production and the use phase, all the way to recycling. The BMW Group is also a member of the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) and signed the “Business Ambition for 1.5°C” pledge ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference. This is an important step, in line with the most ambitious objective of the Paris Climate Agreement and commits the company to the goal of total climate neutrality by latest 2050.

A graph summarising the savings over the life cycle of a vehicle.

More stringent CO2 targets.

To achieve a further reduction in CO2 emissions, the focus is on the utilisation phase of vehicles, which account for 70 percent of the BMW Group’s CO2 footprint. By 2030, the CO2 emissions per vehicle and kilometre driven will be at least halved from 2019 levels. The commitment of all manufacturers when it comes to combatting climate change can best be compared when looking at the entire life cycle of a vehicle, including production and upstream supply chain. Here, the BMW Group is planning a reduction of CO2 emission per vehicle of at least 40 percent. “How companies are dealing with CO2 emissions has become a major factor when it comes to judging corporate action. The decisive factor in the fight against global warming is how strongly we can improve the carbon footprint of vehicles over their entire life span. This is why we are setting ourselves transparent and ambitious goals for the substantial reduction of CO2 emissions; these are validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative and will deliver an effective and measurable contribution,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, in Munich on Thursday. “With the Neue Klasse, as of 2025 we are significantly sharpening our commitment and also committing ourselves to a clear course for achieving the 1.5 degree target.”

A graph summarising the expansion of the secondary rate. Secondary rate today below 30%, target is to increase to 50%.

Circular economy: The purest form of Sheer Driving Pleasure.

Another focal point for the BMW Group is the circular economy: Humans consume more than 100 billion tonnes of raw materials every year – and that number is rising. In addition, processing of many primary raw materials is extremely energy-intensive and therefore also carbon-intensive. That is why the BMW Group is pursuing the vision of a circular economy, with the aim of keeping raw materials in the cycle for as long as possible. The BMW i Vision Circular demonstrates in very tangible form, how a vehicle can be produced using 100 percent secondary materials – and where the challenges lie. Going forward, the company aims to increase this amount to 50 percent.

BMW Group sustainability in brief.

KeyVidual Bericht 2022

To coincide with publication of the BMW Group Report 2022.

In a nutshell:

What did the BMW Group achieve in the field of sustainability in 2022?

Brief remarks in 60 seconds from Dr Thomas Becker, head of Sustainability, Mobility at the BMW Group

We asked:

What are the highlights of the new BMW Group Report 2022 from a sustainability perspective? Which facts stand out?

A podcast (7:35 minutes) with Dr Thomas Becker, head of Sustainability, Mobility at the BMW Group

FACTS AND NUMBERS.

CO₂ reduction BMW Group automobiles in the European Union according to fleet target value (EU-27, WLTP)

105 g/km (tentatively)

2022

116 g/km

2021

135 g/km

2020

Our aspiration is to be the most successful and sustainable premium manufacturer for individual mobility.. Our company is committed to a course that is in line with the 1.5 degree target for limiting global warming. To this end, the BMW Group was the first German car manufacturer to join the Business Ambition for 1.5°C of the Science Based Targets Initiative and is committed to the goal of complete climate neutrality across the entire value chain by 2050 at the latest. On our way of consistently pursuing the path of emission reduction we also focus on the aims of the European Union: With emissions of around 116  grams per kilometre, according to WLTP, the company outperformed the fleet target limit of approx. 126 grams per kilometre by around ten grams in the EU, based on its own internal calculations. The key drivers for fulfilment of the fleet target were significantly higher sales of electrified vehicles in Europe and further increases in efficiency for conventional drive technologies. 

INVESTMENT IN FURTHER EDUCATION & TRAINING.

416   Mio. €

2022

279   Mio. €

2020

279   Mio. €

2020

Our associates are our biggest strength. We believe that supporting and developing them is an important aspect of sustainability. That is why lifelong learning is an integral part of day-to-day work at the BMW Group. With a wide range of options for continuing education, especially in innovation areas such as digitalisation and electrification, we are investing in the performance capabilities and employability of our more than 120,000 colleagues – today, and in the future.

ANNUAL SALES ELECTRIC AND ELECTRIFIED VEHICLES.

433,795

2022

328,314

2021

192,662

2020

Annual sales of electric and electrified BMW vehicles continue to grow from year to year. We are pleased about this, of course, but the fight against climate change will require further efforts – not to mention, ambitious targets. Massive expansion of e-mobility will play a key role in this: Based on current market forecasts, the BMW Group expects at least 50 percent of its global sales to come from fully-electric vehicles in 2030. Over the next ten years or so, the company will release a total of about ten million fully-electric vehicles onto the roads.

Bofadeles

Due diligence in the supply chain.

To support our supply chain due diligence, we set mandatory sustainability standards for our suppliers.

OUR FOCUS TOPICS.

BMW Werk

CO₂ REDUCTION.

Company-wide reduction of CO₂ emissions is a common thread throughout the BMW Group’s value chain – from the supply chain, through production, to the use phase. We have set ourselves clear goals for this.

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Kautschukbaum

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARDS.

At the BMW Group, responsibility is also about protecting nature’s finite resources. We are committed to the highest environmental and social standards at our own sites and throughout the supply chain.

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BMW Concept

CIRCULAR ECONOMY.

Effective climate protection needs circularity. Conscious use of primary materials plays a key role in this for the BMW Group. We consider options for economical use of resources and recoverability during the design process and product development. Our guiding principle for the future is “secondary first”.

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BMW Zentrale

ELECTROMOBILITY.

The BMW Group’s actions are characterised by continuous further development of electrified vehicles. Sustainable processes in all areas of the company promote safe and sustainable expansion of electromobility.

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employee in production

EMPLOYEES.

A pioneering spirit and ambition unite us. More than 120,000 dedicated colleagues deliver outstanding performance every day – creating the top-class mobility of the future.

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UNAOC Nominees Gruppenbild

SOCIETY.

For us, “Premium through responsibility” also means being committed to social progress.

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Menschenrechte

Respect for people and the environment.

We are committed to respecting human rights and environment-related standards. Discover how we meet this responsibility within the BMW Group and throughout the supply chain in the “Our Responsibility” section.

DOWNLOADS.

Want to gain a deeper insight into our pursuit of responsibility? Topic-specific documents are available in our download section, where you will find all the information you need on the BMW Group – from balance sheets and reports to announcements and analyses.

Environmental Statement BMW Group 2021.

Life Cycle Assessment reports.

BMW Group Vehicle Footprint Reports.

BMW Group positions.

Further downloads from the area of sustainability can be found in the download center

BMW i4 edrive

Learn more about our objectives.

Only those who take action can have a real impact. That is why the BMW Group pursues ambitious sustainability goals. Learn what these are and how we intend to achieve them in the “Our goals” section.
World map

OUR COMMITMENT WORLDWIDE.

Explore the BMW Group’s 360-degree approach to sustainability with our interactive world map. Click on a location and learn more about the latest measures that we are implementing there.

CONTACT.

The BMW Group wants to make the future sustainable. That is why we are working hard to respond to key challenges, such as climate protection and the scarcity of natural resources. We address the issues – even uncomfortable ones – in a diligent manner and offer transparent solutions. If you have any further questions or input on the topic of corporate responsibility, we would be happy to provide you with information on our visions and concrete goals.

Kai Zöbelein
Kai Zöbelein

Communications Environmental Sustainability.

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Milena Pighi.
Milena Pighi

Communications Social Sustainability.

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Responsibility – Contacts.


BMW Group
Petuelring 130
80788 München
Tel.: +49 (0)89-382-0