Partnership Velux 2021
WWF and the VELUX Group collaborate globally on an ambitious climate project, taking responsibility for both past and future actions. Nature is in crisis and climate change is the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. Tackling it involves every single one of us. Governments and businesses need to commit to more ambitious action to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
In response to this, the VELUX Group has committed to reducing its future CO2 emissions in line with a 1.5°C decarbonization pathway. Additionally, the VELUX Group will capture its historical carbon footprint, dated from when it was founded in 1941, through WWF forest conservation projects. This will benefit both biodiversity and communities. By the time the Velux Group celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2041, the climate investment will ensure the offset past CO2 emissions.
Protecting forests for lifetime carbon responsibility
The VELUX Group has joined the Science Based Targets initiative, committing to reduce its own CO2 emissions as well as from its entire value chain. This is in line with what climate science points out is necessary to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. On top of its decarbonization efforts, the VELUX Group will invest in the protection and restoration of original forests in biodiversity hotspots globally.
By investing in five key forest projects driven by WWF, the VELUX Group contributes to forest CO2 removals equivalent to its own historical emissions all the way back to 1941, when the company was founded, and until today. In this long-term partnership, WWF and the VELUX Group will drive conservation results based on our shared interest in protecting and restoring forests globally.
Nature-based solutions for Climate Change
Our planet is facing a dual climate and biodiversity crisis. People and nature worldwide are already feeling the effects of climate change. Water supplies are shrinking, extreme weather events are increasing, forests are burning, and coral reefs are dying. According to IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) around a million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. But nature loss is also a business risk, as it can undermine production systems, interrupt supply chains, and result in companies losing their license to operate. On the other hand, nature itself provides the solutions to the threats we’ve put upon it.
A partnership of action and impact
Dramatically reducing future carbon emissions alongside removing CO2 from the atmosphere is key to securing a sustainable future. The Restoration of natural forests has great potential for capturing CO2. At the same time, protecting forests will help halt biodiversity and habitat loss with great benefits for both nature and people. Safeguarding forests, reforestation, and halting deforestation can effectively help achieve targets set out under the Paris Agreement and help limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
Through this innovative partnership, WWF wants to spread hope and inspire companies to follow the example of the VELUX Group in taking responsibility for both their future and past environmental impacts. You can find more information about the international WWF and Velux Group Partnership here.
Your contact at WWF Switzerland
This project requires a partner with the know-how of both conservation and business strategy. Contact WWF Corporate Partnership to become an ally for change.
