Why production is the key to sustainability

Why production is the key to sustainability

By 2050, Europe’s economy is to produce in a climate-neutral manner. The example of the automotive industry shows that the proportion of the total amount of contaminants in the production itself is low. However, this is precisely where the screws are located; with the help of carbon dioxide, emissions can be substantially reduced.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, caused the headquarters to sit and have taken notes with ambitious goals: by 2050, the European economy should be climate Preval. By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions, measures against those of 1990 should be reduced by half. Until now, EU countries have not been able to agree on the binding goal of climatic neutrality by 2050. E: by 2030, the EU is indicating a 40% reduction.

The energy sector causes the most greenhouse gas emissions. 

Within the EU, the energy sector causes much the highest proportion of greenhouse gas emissions. The data of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Starting from 2015 This sector is responsible for 78% of emissions. Agriculture emits little more than a tenth of Euwide greenhouse gas emissions. Industrial production and the use of products represent 8.7 per cent, and waste management for 3.2 per cent of this. At first glance, it does not seem so effective to start with production companies to reduce polluting emissions.

Car manufacturers have a key role to play in the fight against climate change.

The automotive industry shows this because the levers are there for the longest. Play a key role in the fight against climate change: not only can it reduce greenhouse gases generated during vehicle production. Ultimately, they are their finished products and services that allow society to reduce polluting emissions caused by mobility. This key role is clarified with an invention of Germany.

Munich-based startup develops CO2-neutral cars. 

The young company are Munichhows Motors with the Zion that the automotive climate production is possible in principle. However, this is only possible when they compensate for CO2 emissions that arise during production. The firm invests in climate protection projects that reduce CO2 emissions into the extension of the emissions caused. With the Sion, these costs are already included in the purchase price (from approx. 26,000 euros). The production of the vehicle is planned to start in Sweden in 2020.

Climate friendliness depends on the nation in which the e-car drives.

Which climate actually, the Sion is in operation, then depends on a large measure from L ‘User: integrated solar should provide energy for up to 30 kilometres. All that goes beyond this must come from the grip. And as “green”, this energy is the mixture of electricity depends. In 2016, the proportion of electricity generated by renewable energy sources within the EU was total gross electricity consumption of almost 30 per cent. In Germany, it was a little more than 32.2%. Austria, on the other hand, could generate almost 73% of its electricity from renewable sources thanks to hydroelectric energy in 2016. The sustainability that the guide easily depends largely on the country where it is used. However, Motors has already reserved more than 10,000 pre-devices for the Sion. Only this shows that more and more consumers evaluate the “sustainability” both in operation and in the production of cars.

The automotive industry wants to improve its image and prevent penalties.

This is now clearly clear to the leading German car manufacturers. At the diesel scandal and to those that hinder the innovation agreements on the cleaning of exhaust gases, technologies are thanks to the fact that producers do not enjoy a particularly “green” reputation with consumers. Of course, they want to get rid of their image as a polluter as quickly as possible. However, the EU’s requirements for cars from climates for 2030 are much more important. If they are not reached, there is a risk of fines. According to a study, it will be made by many European producers who cannot achieve these perspective requirements today.

A VW car leaves 44 tons of CO2 into the air.

In March 2019, the VW group launched the current carbon footprint of its cars and, therefore, tries to shed light on polluting discussion. As a result, an average VW group is responsible for all its useful life, an issue of about 44 tons of CO2. This is divided as follows: 5.7-ton tons are caused by raw materials and intermediate products that are available from suppliers. Production is produced only 800,000 kg of CO2. The use of the vehicle causes 35 tons of 6 tons for fuel supply and 29 tons for the fuel itself. The recycling of the vehicle is responsible for the issue of other 2.7 tons of CO2.

Little can be done in production alone.

So if the VW group desires to contribute to CO2 emissions, it can only do it. Do it directly to a limited extension, especially since the product itself has, by far most total CO2. VW emissions can support their responsible direct suppliers, but the farthest supplier is in the supply chain, pressure Lower VW can exercise you to release the minimum amount of CO2 possible. The largest percentage of contaminants is caused by a car when in operation. Here too, VW has little influence: the company cannot indicate to customers what type of unit should have their car and how efficient is moving it. VW can only work here to develop an attractive range of cars with low emissions 2.444

The production of batteries causes a lot of CO2.

To this end, the group also published a study at the same time: while current golf with a mileage of 200,000 kilometres emits an average of 140 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre, only the Egolf. Emits 119 grams, depending on the current mix of electricity within the EU. Interestingly carbon dioxide is generated in what phase of the entire life cycle: the production of diesel golf only causes 29 grams per kilometre, while EGOLF requires 57 grams per kilometre. Battery production is responsible for this high value.

VW broadens horizons to sustainable mobility.

Many large manufacturers are taking the issue of sustainability in production with greater seriousness. VW wants to establish a pioneer in sustainable mobility. The group has recently announced a car which should be CO2 neutral in the general balance throughout its useful life. The production of the new identification begins at the end of 2019 at the Zwickau plant. This production plant already works with green electricity: in the production of identification. You can save more than one million tons of CO2 a year. The batteries will occur in Europe. The energy required for this must be supplied by green electricity. VW wants to compensate for emissions that cannot be avoided in the production process by investing in certified climate projects so that the manufacture of identification. It is neutral CO2 in the market launch budget. Identification users. The group suggests using energy from renewable sources. The manufacturer offers this through the daughter released Elliin Germany recently under the name “Volkswagen Naturstrom”. The VW Group is no longer just looking at the manufacture of vehicles but wants to focus on a much broader theme of sustainable mobility. 

VW is not the only manufacturer that is now committed to sustainability, even in production: Daimler already wishes for 2022 to reveal a supply of neutral energy of CO2 for all its German plants. And also, BMW is trying to produce the I3 electric machine to act as the more neutral of CO2.

Conclusion: Why production is the key to sustainability

Within the EU, production plants emit only a relatively small proportion of total emissions of CO2. However, the automotive industry shows that this is exactly where the levers are located for a massive reduction in carbon dioxide. Ultimately, it depends on your offer as we can fight climate change.

Read more about Sustainability Top 5 Companies working in Sustainable Packaging