Clear climate targets: MAN joins the Science Based Targets Initiative

• MAN prepares submission of emission reduction targets for validation by SBTi
• Commercial vehicle sector has special responsibility in climate protection
• MAN aims to reconcile economy & ecology with low-emission transport solutions         

With its "NewMAN" corporate strategy, MAN is focusing on future issues and aligning its actions with the principles of sustainability. "We need to act now in view of the global climate crisis," explains Andreas Tostmann, Chairman of the Executive Board of MAN Truck & Bus. "MAN has achieved a great deal in the past and is now taking binding steps to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated in the use of our vehicles, in their production, and in the supply chain," Tostmann announces. "Joining SBTi is an important step in defining concrete interim targets for our path to greenhouse gas neutrality. As MAN, we are thus following the vision of offering our customers sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for transportation and passenger transport."

The SBTi is a partnership between the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The initiative helps companies set science-based targets that are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, which was adopted by the United Nations in 2015. According to this agreement, global warming should be limited to well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels – preferably even to 1.5°C. By signing & submitting the commitment letter to SBTi, MAN Truck & Bus has now also committed to this ambition and is preparing to submit corresponding targets.

Commercial vehicles account for a high proportion of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector

As a commercial vehicle manufacturer, MAN sees itself as having a special responsibility to do all it can to contribute to climate protection. According to the European Environment Agency EEA, the transport sector is responsible for around 29 percent of climate-damaging emissions in the EU (as of 2019), of which in turn just under one-third is attributable to commercial vehicle applications involving heavy and light trucks. "This naturally includes a very large number of MAN vehicles. Our responsibility for climate protection is correspondingly high. More than 95 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions along our value chain occur in the use phase of our products. Reducing emissions in this area is therefore a top priority," clarifies Fabian Heidinger, head of MAN’s decarbonization program. The commercial vehicle manufacturer will submit clear targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its products in the use phase as well as from its corporate sites for validation by SBTi, he added.

Low-emission transport solutions as an opportunity

"At the same time, as a commercial vehicle manufacturer, we have the necessary levers to make transport more climate-friendly by providing our customers with economical and efficient transport solutions based on low-emission energy sources. Climate protection and sustainability also open up new business areas for us," adds Fabian Heidinger. Particularly in connection with corresponding energy infrastructure offerings, new digital solutions and, later, automation, he says, this is an exciting aspect that is already emerging in the passenger car sector. "We see it as our task to sustainably reconcile economy & ecology – and this is a challenge for society as a whole, to which we will contribute our share."