The Volvo Group said it will join the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) Climate Savers Program. As a WWF partner, the Volvo Group’s truck companies undertake to reduce the CO2 emissions from vehicles manufactured between 2009 and 2014 by 13 million tons, the company said. Independent technical experts will oversee the results.

“The partnership with WWF means that we are raising our already ambitious goals in relation to cutting the CO2 emissions of our products,” says Volvo’s CEO Leif Johansson. “Our shared vision is that future transport will be CO2-neutral. It won’t be easy, but if anyone can do it, Volvo can.”

The agreement between WWF and the Volvo Group’s truck companies – Mack Trucks, Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks, and UD Trucks – states that:
• The total amount of CO2 emitted during their lifetime by trucks manufactured and sold between 2009 and 2014 will be cut by 13 million tons compared with 2008 models by introduction of cutting edge fuel economy technologies.
• Volvo will produce a truck prototype with 20% lower fuel consumption than the equivalent 2008 model.
• Volvo will be able to offer trucks in the commercial market that run on renewable gas before 2014.
 • The Volvo Group will also reduce CO2 emissions from its production plants by 0.5 million tons (12%) before 2014, compared with 2008.

“This is the first time we’ve engaged an outside party – in this case, the world’s largest environmental organization – to oversee that we deliver what we’ve promised. That is unique for a global vehicle manufacturer,” says Johansson. “As the first vehicle manufacturer to be selected to participate in the Climate Savers Program, we have been presented with a real challenge, but by focusing on lower CO2 emissions, we believe that we can create more value for our customers’ business while contributing to sustainable development at the same time.”