Under the aspect of environment, the BMW Group is shifting the focus to ecological sustainability, CO2 reduction and conservation of resources along the entire value-added chain. From the supply chain, supplier management, the handling of raw materials, via development and production through to the use phase of all products and beyond: by adopting this all-round approach, the BMW Group is operating in harmony with the Paris Climate goal of limiting global warming of 1.5°C.
The BMW Group has the aim of substantially and measurably reducing its ecological footprint along the entire value-added chain – before, during and after the use phase of the vehicles.
- The BMW Group is accelerating sustainability. From 2024, the BMW and MINI brands will feature cast aluminium wheels produced with 100% green electricity. This switch applies to the energy-intensive electrolysis during the production of aluminium and the casting of wheels. Corresponding agreements with all wheel suppliers of the BMW Group are in place.
- Currently, around five percent of CO2 emissions can be attributed to the wheels. Switching to a more sustainable production method with green electricity reduces these emissions by more than half. The BMW Group uses about 10 Million light alloy wheels per year, 95% of which are cast aluminium wheels.
- From 2023, MINI will become a pioneer in this field. The cast aluminium wheels of the new MINI Countryman generation will already be made of 70% secondary aluminium. Combining 100% green electricity in production and 70% secondary resources, CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 80% compared to standard production methods. From 2024, BMW models leaving the factory will also have aluminium rims produced with 100% renewable energy and made of 70% secondary aluminium.
- Furthermore, panelling parts made of plastic with approximately 30% derived from recycled fishing nets and ropes will be used in models of the New Class as from 2025. This will also prevent the disposal of these residual materials from the maritime industry as waste in the sea.
- Innovative production methods for corrosion protection and matte paints do not require fossil resources and help reduce CO2 emissions for BMW models built in the plants in Europe and South Africa by 40%.
- The BMW Group is the first vehicle manufacturer worldwide to use matte paints made of biomass instead of mineral oil. In addition, the BMW Group plants in Leipzig (Germany) and Rosslyn (South Africa) work with corrosion protection lacquer produced in a sustainable way, a procedure certified by the German Technical Inspection Agency TÜV.
- Thanks to innovative production processes by BASF, mineral oil-based primary products such as naphtha can be replaced by renewable resources made from organic waste as early as during the first phase of paint production. This not only reduces the use of fossil resources, but also cuts CO2 emissions connected with the transport and further processing of naphtha.
By adopting an all-round approach, the BMW Group achieves a substantial improvement throughout the entire life cycle from one vehicle generation to the next. With the New Class, in particular, the BMW Group will reduce CO2 emissions more quickly and further focus development on a circular economy. As a result of the value-oriented approach of the control system within the Group, we ensure that the specifications are implemented consistently within the entire company. In this way, we are taking account of the targets for reducing CO2 emissions along the entire life cycle of the vehicles as well as the market-specific requirements for the vehicle fleet. We use a certified environmental management system to monitor implementation of the defined targets and evaluation of advances within the development process.
SUSTAINABILITY
ALONG THE ENTIRE VALUE-ADDED CHAIN
BEFORE THE USE PHASE
By adopting an all-round approach, the BMW Group achieves a substantial improvement throughout the entire life cycle from one vehicle generation to the next. With the New Class, in particular, the BMW Group will reduce CO2 emissions more quickly and further focus development on a circular economy.
As a result of the value-oriented approach of the control system within the Group, we ensure that the specifications are implemented consistently within the entire company. In this way, we are taking account of the targets for reducing CO2 emissions along the entire life cycle of the vehicles as well as the market-specific requirements for the vehicle fleet. We use a certified environmental management system to monitor implementation of the defined targets and evaluation of advances within the development process.
DURING THE USE PHASE
AFTER THE USE PHASE
RECYCLING OPTIONS AT THE END OF THE LIFE CYCLE
PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
The BMW Group offers all types of drive according to the use cases of the drivers and the infrastructure in the markets around the globe.
Electromobility is a central pillar within the sustainability strategy, which the BMW Group is set to continuously expand during the coming years.
- 2022: doubling of the sales of electrified vehicles compared with 2021.
- 2023: 25 electrified vehicle models on the market, 13 fully electric.
- By 2025: electrified vehicles to account for more than 30% of all deliveries.
- By 2030: more than 50% of worldwide deliveries to be fully electric.
Powerful and sustainable energy storage systems and the development of new innovative battery cells are key elements for future fully electric vehicle generations. The BMW Group is working to significantly raise the energy density of the cells while at the same lowering the costs for materials used and production. The recyclability of the battery is an important aspect that provides input for the development of future battery cell generations. Furthermore, the BMW Group is already conducting intensive research into solid-state battery technology, which already looks very promising.
The New Class is the product range of the BMW Group dedicated exclusively to fully electric propulsion. It is being developed on our New Cluster Architecture (NCAR) with its three future-oriented core elements of “electrical”, “digital” and “circular”.
The New Class marks the entry of the BMW Group sustainability concept into the third phase. In this phase we are raising the pace of CO2 reduction and concentrating firmly on the circular economy. It is characterised by three key aspects: a completely redefined IT and software architecture, a newly developed electric drive and battery generation and a new level of sustainability extending over the entire life cycle.
- Electric first. Uncompromisingly designed and optimised for electric drivetrains – we call it BEV-only. Aim to match range and contribution margin of state-of-the-art combustion engines.
- Secondary first. Proportion of secondary materials will be sharply increased. Focus on greatly reducing resource consumption.
- Digital first. Completely novel user experience. Even more individually configurable and bookable features.
- Production without fossil energy sources in the new BMW iFactory, Hungary.
CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND CHARGING
Through BMW and MINI Charging, the BMW Group is offering comprehensive charging solutions that enable the electrified vehicle to be used conveniently in different situations. The portfolio contains charging products and services for use on the move, at home or at the workplace.
In the case of public charging in Europe, the BMW group together with its partners guarantees that the energy used is 100% green. The BMW/ MINI Charging Card offers easy access to the charging networks in Europe.
MAXIMUM DEMANDS ON US AND OUR SUPPLIERS AROUND THE WORLD
LABOUR STANDARDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Internationally recognised guidelines for environmental and social criteria are a benchmark for the BMW Group within the entire value-added chain. This particularly affects
- The Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
- The United Nations Guiding principles on Business and Human Rights.
- The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact.
- The contents of the ICC Business Charter for Sustainable Development.
- The Cleaner Production Declaration of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF RAW MATERIALS
We source components, materials and other services from more than 32,000 production and distribution locations. Responsibility for the associated social and ecological due diligence obligations lies with our suppliers as part of our contractually binding sustainability standards.
At the same time, we are working on solutions that permit a reduction in or substitution of raw materials in our vehicles. We analyse raw materials continuously with respect to infringements of environmental and social standards.
DUE DILIGENCE
OUR IMPLEMENTATION OF CORPORATE DUE DILIGENCE WITHIN THE SUPPLIER NETWORK
INTEGRATED REPORT ON THE STATUS QUO
The BMW Group views its responsibility as lying in the measurability and transparency of its sustainability reporting. This is why we have been combining our annual report with our sustainability report since 2020 to produce an integrated Group report. The BMW Group Report follows the framework structures of the sustainability reporting and is independently certified.