OREANDA-NEWS. December 03, 2015. BMW Group announced that it has joined the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, as one of the 154 companies from across the American economy who are demonstrating an ongoing commitment for action on climate change. The pledge adds business support for a strong outcome to the COP21 Paris climate negotiations currently underway.

Harald Krueger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, stated: “Sustainability plays a central role for the BMW Group. We have set up long-term sustainability goals which have defined targets to 2020 and thereafter. Therefore, we are pleased to join the American Business Act on Climate Pledge.”

“The American Business Act on Climate Pledge demonstrates our company’s public commitment to fight climate change by taking action,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “With this commitment, the BMW Group further shows its intent to continue being a leader in sustainability across the entire value chain: from R&D to manufacturing to operations.”

By signing on to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, the BMW Group both voices support for a strong Paris outcome and further demonstrates its ongoing commitment to climate action. The BMW Group is one of the world’s most sustainable automobile companies and the only automobile company to be listed in the DJSI (Dow Jones Sustainability Index) World and DJSI Europe Indices every year since 1999. Building on a well-established track record of sustainable activities, the BMW Group puts forth its pledges as follows:

BMW Group in North America Climate Pledge

By 2020, the BMW Group will be the leading automobile manufacturer in the use of renewable energy in production and value creation.

Sustainability management at the BMW Group spans all steps of the value chain and all organizational units of the BMW Group in the United States.

BMW Group, North America

Through 2017, the BMW Group will have invested \\$2.7 million in a public private partnership with the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory to significantly improve the performance of Li-Ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). The aim of this investment is to accelerate mass market adoption of zero-emissions vehicles. This partnership brings the BMW Group’s total investment with U.S. government agencies, universities, and start-ups to nearly \\$10 million over the last 3 years alone to advance EV battery technology.

BMW Technology Office, California

The BMW Technology Office in California will continue to achieve 100% net zero energy using solar panels and repurposed EV batteries to capture and store energy, respectively. This system accommodates not only building load, but also EV charging stations for the public and employees.

BMW Manufacturing Co., South Carolina

BMW Manufacturing will continue to source nearly 50% of the energy required to power the facility from otherwise unused methane gas, reducing the plant’s CO2 emissions by 92,000 tons per year.

BMW Manufacturing will continue to service the plant’s production and logistics functions with nearly 350 hydrogen fuel cell-powered material handling vehicles.

BMW Manufacturing will continue to be zero waste-to-landfill, with the exception of waste water treatment.

SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, Washington State

SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers (SGL) in Washington State, a BMW Group-SGL joint venture, will continue to use 100% renewable hydroelectric power to produce carbon fiber which is used in every EV made by BMW.

By 2020, SGL will achieve zero waste-to-landfill.

By 2020, SGL will lower air emissions by up to 20%.

By 2020, SGL will reduce the environmental impact of chemicals used on site.

By 2025, SGL will reduce water usage by as much as 30%.

By 2025, SGL will reduce power consumption by at least 10%.

BMW North America Headquarters, New Jersey

BMW North America will continue to power the four major buildings on its New Jersey campus with up to 30% renewable solar panel energy.

BMW Group, Global

The BMW Group will continue to optimize transport volumes and increase the share of low-emissions modes of transport and capacity utilization in new vehicle transport.

By 2020, the BMW Group will have reduced energy consumption per vehicle produced by 45% compared to 2006.

The share of renewable energy was increased as a percentage of total electricity sourced by the BMW Group to 51% in 2014 and this progress will continue. The target of the BMW Group is to source 100% of electricity from renewable sources.

The BMW Group commits to the long-term goal of employing a 100% CO2-free heat supply.

By 2020, the BMW Group will have reduced water consumption (including process wastewater) by 45% per vehicle produced compared to 2006.

BMW Group vehicles will continue to be 95% recyclable.

By 2020, the BMW Group will have reduced Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions per vehicle produced by 45% compared to 2006.

Further information on the implementation of sustainable development at the BMW Group is available at www.bmwgroup.com/responsibility