The Velux Group announced its new commitment to become Lifetime Carbon Neutral by its 100th anniversary in 2041. This commitment will see the manufacturer's historical carbon footprint – 5.6 million tons of CO2 emitted since it was founded in 1941 – captured in forest conservation projects run by the World Wide Fund for Nature. Looking to the future, the Velux Group also commits to dramatically cut the carbon emissions of its company and value chain in line with the Paris Agreement's most ambitious 1.5°C reduction pathway.
Lifetime Carbon Neutral is a pioneering new commitment initiated by the Velux Group and developed together with WWF International to take responsibility for past and future carbon emissions.
David Briggs, CEO of the Velux Group says: "The planet is facing a serious climate and nature crisis, and this requires extraordinary action. According to our values as a company, we strive to do more than most, so that's why we have developed Lifetime Carbon Neutral. It's an innovative new commitment involving a 20-year partnership with WWF International to capture the equivalent of our historical carbon emissions by 2041. We will also dramatically reduce our future CO2 emissions and ask our suppliers to do the same. Hopefully other companies will be inspired to become 'Lifetime Carbon Neutral' in order to create a sustainable future for all."
The Velux Group will work with WWF to become Lifetime Carbon Neutral by investing in forest and biodiversity projects developed specifically for Velux over the next 21 years. This is intended to help halt habitat loss, deforestation and land degradation, while working with and benefiting local communities. The first two of these forest projects will take place in Uganda and Myanmar.
"With the impacts of the climate and nature crises are becoming increasingly clear, ambition and action is urgently needed to build a more resilient and sustainable future for all. The Velux Group's Lifetime Carbon Neutral commitment is an important step for others to follow," says Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International.