Many carbon-neutral products are the result of carbon offsetting where companies plant trees to make up for the emissions they create.
Yet one Swedish car manufacturing firm believes “Offsetting is a cop-out.”
Putting its money where its mouth is Polestar has unveiled plans to create the first “truly” carbon-neutral car by 2030. It says this will be possible by analysing and ultimately reducing carbon emissions across the entire value chain.
Thomas Ingenlath, the chief executive of the company Polestar (a venture founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding) said “by pushing ourselves to create a completely climate-neutral car, we are forced to reach beyond what is possible today. We will have to question everything, innovate and look to exponential technologies as we design towards zero.”
It has created a labelling system to outline the lifetime carbon footprint of its new vehicles, and believes that a “Polestar 0” project will be able to reduce emissions without relying on tree planting and other carbon offsetting measures. The full methodology behind lifetime carbon measurements, as well details about carbon labelling will appear on the company’s website shortly.
Polestar’s head of sustainability, Fredrika Klarén, added: “We’re electric, so we don’t have to worry about combustion engines producing toxic emissions – but that doesn’t mean our job is done. We will now work to eradicate all emissions stemming from production. Now is a historic and exciting time for car makers, an opportunity to seize the moment, do better and dare to build the dream of climate-neutral, circular and beautiful cars.”
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