Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Volkswagen score?

Volkswagen reports full Scope 1 and 2 emissions using GHG Protocol, market-based method, with third-party assurance under CSRD/ESRS. By end of 2024, absolute Scope 1+2 had been reduced 51% vs 2018 baseline of 9.03Mt CO2e, reaching approximately 4.4Mt. Multi-year granular data is published with breakdown by scope, gas type, and tracked via internal EIS system. Verified, declining trend, publicly disclosed with methodology.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Volkswagen score?

VW quantifies Scope 3 across major categories including use of sold products (category 11), supply chain, logistics, and franchises. For 2023, Scope 3 totalled ~414Mt CO2e. However, the Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor rated VW 'Low Integrity', and academic analysis suggests VW underreports lifecycle emissions by over 50% due to unrealistic vehicle lifetime assumptions. Base year recalculations in 2024 further complicate comparability. Supplier engagement programme exists with CO2e limit

Emissions Trajectory: How does Volkswagen score?

Scope 1+2 absolute emissions show strong decline: 51% reduction vs 2018 by end of 2024, meeting the 2030 SBTi target 6 years early. However, total emissions (including Scope 3) increased from ~403Mt in 2022 to ~420Mt in 2023 — a 4.4% rise driven by Scope 3 growth. The Scope 3 target is intensity-based only (per vehicle km), not absolute. With Scope 3 constituting ~99% of total emissions and rising, the overall trajectory is worsening for what the planet physically experiences. Capped at 4 per ru

Energy Source: How does Volkswagen score?

VW reports 100% renewable external electricity at European sites and is progressing toward 100% at all sites outside China by 2030. The company has signed multiple long-term PPAs (with RWE, Alterric, AMPYR Solar Europe, EnviTec Biogas) including for the Salzgitter gigafactory. However, VW still operates its own Wolfsburg power plant (converted from coal to gas), and China operations — a major share of production — are not yet covered. Total renewable share of global energy consumption was ~46% i

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Volkswagen score?

VW has assessed nature impacts at 114 production sites using Nala Earth's platform aligned with SBTN and TNFD frameworks. The company is a founding member of Biodiversity in Good Company, first automaker to join the LEAF Coalition, and has a formal Biodiversity Commitment integrated into its Code of Conduct for Business Partners requiring deforestation-free supply chains. Site-level biodiversity projects exist (wildflower meadows, reforestation in Mexico/Poland). However, supply chain nature ris

Resource Use & Waste: How does Volkswagen score?

VW reports waste per vehicle reduced by 79.4% and VOC emissions by 67.5% since 2010. The company targets 40% circular materials in vehicles by 2040 (excl. China) and has a Zero Impact Factory initiative. The goTOzero RETAIL certification system promotes environmental standards across the dealer network. Recycled materials are used in ID-series vehicles. However, with ~9 million vehicles produced annually and a massive global supply chain for steel, aluminium, batteries, and plastics, the company

Water Impact: How does Volkswagen score?

Water consumption per vehicle has been reduced by 27.1% from 2010 to 2024. VW monitors water withdrawal and wastewater discharge at all production sites, with the Site Checklist including water management criteria. The company reports to CDP on water security, does not discharge untreated wastewater, and has pretreatment systems at nearly all sites. Water intensity targets are set under the UEP metric. However, 90% of the water footprint per vehicle occurs in the supply chain (steel, precious me

Targets & Commitments: How does Volkswagen score?

VW has SBTi-validated near-term targets: Scope 1+2 at 1.5°C alignment (50.4% absolute reduction by 2030 vs 2018, already achieved). Scope 3 use phase target is validated at 2°C only and is intensity-based (30% per vehicle km), not absolute. The company purchased 6.7Mt of carbon credits in 2024 and 9Mt in 2023, representing significant offset reliance alongside genuine reductions. The Net Zero Tracker and CCRM both flag VW as 'Low Integrity' on climate strategy. Absolute Scope 1+2 targets are str

Transparency & Accountability: How does Volkswagen score?

VW publishes comprehensive sustainability reporting under CSRD/ESRS from 2024, with GRI, SASB indices, CDP disclosures (climate + water), and third-party limited assurance. The company has a Chief Sustainability Officer (Dirk Voeste), Board-level oversight, Supervisory Board ESG officer, and sustainability embedded in Group strategy as 'regenerate+'. The Association Climate Review discloses trade association positions. However, executive compensation linkage to sustainability targets is unclear,

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Volkswagen score?

Dieselgate remains the defining controversy: VW deliberately installed defeat devices in ~11 million vehicles worldwide, resulting in $33.3B+ in fines, penalties and settlements — the largest greenwashing fine in corporate history. The EU fined VW €595M for colluding with BMW to restrict emissions-cleaning technology. Australia's High Court upheld a record A$125M fine. InfluenceMap rates VW C- with 64% Organisation Score, noting mixed lobbying including advocacy to weaken EU CO2 standards in 202

Volkswagen Sustainability Score: 28/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Volkswagen·Automotive·Wolfsburg, Germany·Founded 1937·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Significant gapsPending Review-4 since last review

Volkswagen reports strong Scope 1&2 reductions (51% since 2018) but total emissions rose 4.4% in 2023 as Scope 3 ballooned to 99% of footprint. Intensity-only targets, 6.7Mt carbon offsets in 2024, and a history of deliberate emissions fraud undermine credibility. Mixed lobbying on EU standards masks operational progress.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Automotive sector ceiling.

35 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

52 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 35) + (0.7 × 52) = 46.9

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.6

Final score

Rounded. Significant gaps.

28 / 100

The ten questions

Where Volkswagen is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Energy Source (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Controversies & Red Flags and Emissions Trajectory (2/10, 3/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

17 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

[1]Self-reported

Volkswagen Group 2024 Annual Report — Sustainability

2024

Q1Q2Q3Q6Q8

Every score shows its working.

Where Volkswagen is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where Volkswagen sits among automotive peers.

Volkswagen's score over time.

This score is not currently being contested.

Related companies worth a look.

We'll let you know when the score moves.

Which companies moved this week, and why.