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ENVIRONMENT.
COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABILITY ALONG THE ENTIRE VALUE-ADDED CHAIN.
ENVIRONMENT.COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABILITY ALONG THE ENTIRE VALUE-ADDED CHAIN.
Sustainability is a key component of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy. Decarbonization, circularity, social aspects as well as respect for the environment and human rights in the supply chain are strategic focus areas to reduce our emissions and ensure the responsible use of raw materials.
CO2 REDUCTION.
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 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 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 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
CONTROL SYSTEM.
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.
PRODUCT PORTFOLIO.
ELECTROMOBILITY.
Powerful 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.
NEW CLASS 2025.
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 concentrating firmly on the circular economy.
• 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 increased. Focus on greatly reducing resource consumption
• Digital first. Completely novel user experience. Even more individually configurable and bookable features
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. BMW Charging supports environmentally friendly forms of energy generation and uses proof of origin documentation to guarantee that the energy in the network comes from regenerative fuel systems. 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.
Due diligence obligations in the supply chain
For eight years, the BMW Group has been paying due respect to corporate due diligence within the supplier network. Back in 2008, we defined comprehensive preventive measures, such as contractual obligations to adhere to environmental and social standards and for the first time laid these down as specifications when commissioning suppliers for the BMW i3. In 2014, these standards were extended with the addition of a multi-stage due diligence process, which encompasses the procurement of production material for all vehicle models as well as non-production-related goods and services. Examples of the contents include the contractual obligation for extended environmental and social standards, human rights as well as management systems for occupational safety and environmental protection. All suppliers with direct business relationship with the BMW Group must pass on these requirements to their respective subsuppliers in the form of a contract.
We believe in respect of the internationally recognised human rights and are guided, among others, by the following principles and regulations- the United Nations Guiding principles on Business and Human Rights
- Principles of the UN Global Compact
- Principles of the International Labour Organisation
- OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct
- the National Action Plan of the German Federal Government and the
- the Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains of the Federal Republic of Germany derived therefrom
Sustainable sourcing of raw materials
We purchase the critical raw materials lithium and cobalt – key raw materials for the production of battery cells – for the current fifth generation directly from raw material suppliers and make them available to the producers of our current generation of battery cells. This enables us to achieve traceability (mass balance) for the origin as well as transparency in terms of the extraction methods.
• Alignment of the corporate due diligence with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas
• Sustainability standards through security of supply, price stability and secure working conditions
• Foundation of the industry-wide initiative “Cobalt for Development
Risk analysis and avoidance
The basic prerequisite for the award of any contract is adherence to our specified sustainability requirements. For this reason, the BMW Group constantly assesses sustainability risks and consequences within its supplier network in order to fulfil its due diligence obligations as they affect ecological aspects and human rights.
The BMW GROUP Due Diligence Programme encompasses:
- Continuous risk analysis by BMW Group specific risk filter, which is supplemented by standardised risk maps from the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)
- Dynamic assessment methodology to achieve a high-grade, country-specific risk analysis for every evaluated supplier location
- Use of various data sources such as the UNICEF index for child labour
- Combination of this risk assessment with a consideration of specific groups of raw materials
- We demand that suppliers with more than 100 employees provide externally audited and certified environmental management systems