VELUX - Becoming Lifetime Carbon Neutral

How we are becoming lifetime carbon neutral

We will take responsibility for all our historical carbon emissions, while also taking responsibility for our future at the same time. To become Lifetime Carbon Neutral we will:

Capture the VELUX Group’s historical carbon footprint (scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions)  – dating back to our founding in 1941 and through to 2041 – through forest conservation projects, identified and managed by Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Reduce future carbon emissions from our operations (scope 1 and 2) and value chain (scope 3) in line with climate science (the 1.5 degree Celsius target for global warming).

Only by combining the two, will we achieve our goal of becoming Lifetime Carbon Neutral by our 100-year anniversary in 2041. At a time when the planet is facing dual climate and nature crises, capturing historical and reducing future carbon emissions will help halt habitat loss and preserve biodiversity, which is crucial to achieve a sustainable future. The commitment to become Lifetime Carbon Neutral was initiated by the VELUX Group and developed in collaboration with WWF.

As far as we know, we are among the first companies in the world – and the first company in the construction industry - to take responsibility for both past and future carbon emissions.

Partnering with WWF

By partnering with WWF to develop new forest projects from scratch, we are taking a unique approach to protect and restore forests in some of the most carbon-rich environments in the world. This pioneering work will support biodiversity and provide local communities with sustainable and viable sources of timber.

It is line with our efforts to continue to evolve the business for a more sustainable future.

Together with WWF we are encouraging other businesses to take responsibility for both past and future carbon emissions. It will hopefully result in a widespread business shift towards a climate resilient society, while reversing the decline in biodiversity around the world.

Challenging to calculate lifetime carbon emissions

No standard methodology exists today for how to calculate a historical carbon footprint. For example, valid emission factors and energy consumption data for long ago often do not exist. Therefore, the VELUX Group developed a method to calculate its lifetime carbon emissions. This method is based on the recognised Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard and applied to historical data. This unique methodology, including the underlying assumptions, are independently verified by Carbon Trust and reviewed by scientific experts at WWF.

Capturing carbon emissions through forests

Trees filter CO2 out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis, converting this primarily into carbon and oxygen. The carbon is trapped in the physical structure of the tree and the excess oxygen is released back into the atmosphere. Established natural forests do this to a much greater extent, so while it is important to plant new trees, it is also vital to protect our existing carbon rich environments.