Reaching CO2 Net Zero: an essential transformation for automotive industry sustainability
In 2019, Faurecia has engaged in a company-wide CO2 neutrality plan. Since the creation of FORVIA, both Faurecia and HELLA have established a common net zero target. We aim to become CO2 neutral in our operations by 2025 (scopes 1 & 2), and to reduce scope 3 emissions by 45% by 2030. We have committed to reach CO2 Net Zero by no later than 2045.
In June 2022, Faurecia became the first French company and with HELLA the first global automotive group to be certified with the new SBTI Net-Zero Standard (the most ambitious standard of SBTi), aligned with the ambition of the 2015 Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Three principles guide our action: use less, use better and use longer, with a focus on recyclability and circular economy.
Transforming the way we operate: CO2 neutrality in scopes 1 and 2 by 2025
In order to reduce scope 1 & 2 emissions, we have launched a global energy transition plan over the 2020-2025 period, to develop digitalized energy efficiency, as well as renewable energy production and supply. We are partnering with leading energy transition players (ENGIE, EDP, Schneider Electric) to accelerate its execution: on-site, through energy savings and installing solar panels across 150 sites in 22 countries by end-2023 (with a cumulated power production capacity of 150 MWp by mid-2023 and covering 7% of our global electricity needs); and off-site, through negotiating Power Purchasing Agreements to invest in greenfield renewable electricity production capacities: wind and solar.
Developing market-leading sustainable products
Reducing our scope 3 emissions means using less and better materials that display ultra-low CO2 footprint. We design our future products considering their entire lifecycle: product eco-design, use of resources and raw materials, use phase, end of life and recycling. We have launched Materiact, a dedicated Sustainable Materials division, to industrialize breakthrough materials made of biomass or recyclates, replacing traditional plastics and skins for the automotive industry and beyond.
Currently, steel production accounts for around 40% of our total CO2 emissions, so we are pioneering the use of fossil-free steel to create ultra- low CO2 seat frames and cockpits. Working with Swedish steelmaker SSAB, FORVIA will be the first group to develop and equip vehicles with steel made with hydrogen and zero-carbon electricity, rather than fossil fuels. Our recent partnership with Veolia will support us in developing recycled materials and achieve an average of 30% recycled plastics for interior modules by 2025.
In parallel, we are moving away from the “take”, “make”, “waste” model and towards a circular system where parts are repaired rather than replaced and designed to be easy to recycle. Faurecia offers a multi-brand electronics repair service that extends the life of a wide range of components, reducing their CO2 footprint by up to 85%, and a Europe-wide remanufacturing service for heavy-duty vehicles’ emissions systems. Through HELLA’s wide presence in the aftersales market, the entire Group can develop new circular business models and grow existing ones, lowering our environmental impact and generating value sustainably.
