Milton Keynes, 21 March 2025 – Volkswagen Group UK has been awarded Silver Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) accreditation, underscoring its steadfast commitment to tackling climate change, reducing carbon emissions, and advancing towards a zero-carbon future.
The CLO accreditation, granted by The Carbon Literacy Project, is a tiered system that recognises organisations that have embedded Carbon Literacy into their operations and workforce culture. The Silver level demonstrates a significant commitment to fostering a low-carbon ethos across the organisation, with an increasing proportion of employees trained in Carbon Literacy and actively contributing to sustainability efforts.
Commitment to Carbon Literacy and Sustainability
Volkswagen Group UK has been actively promoting voluntary Carbon Literacy training since 2022, spearheaded by Leanne Thomas, Head of Aftersales Business Development. To date, over 200 employees have been certified as Carbon Literate through the Group’s tailored Automotive Carbon Literacy programme, which is aligned with the company’s broader sustainability objectives under the global ‘regenerate+’ ESG strategy.
The comprehensive one-day training course equips employees with in-depth knowledge of climate science, the automotive industry’s impact on climate change, and actionable steps to mitigate carbon footprints. Participants must also commit to both a professional and a personal pledge, ensuring tangible and trackable environmental impact.
On a personal level, employees have adopted various sustainable practices, including switching energy suppliers, modifying travel and dietary habits, reducing fast-fashion consumption, and opting for more eco-friendly products. Professionally, Volkswagen Group UK teams have implemented meaningful initiatives, such as increasing the use of HVO fuels, LED lighting adoption, fleet electrification, solar panel installations, minimising printed materials, and eliminating single-use cups across the network.
Industry-Wide Recognition for Action on Climate
Dave Coleman, Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Carbon Literacy Project, praised Volkswagen Group UK’s commitment: “Carbon Literacy is an essential skill, vital to every workplace, community, and place of study. It is foundational knowledge and a catalyst to empowering people to act on climate, but it is only the first step. The actions taken and pledged by learners as part of their Carbon Literacy have an immediate impact within their organisation. However, it is the maintenance of these and further actions, supported by a Carbon Literate organisational culture, that reaps the greatest rewards for both participants and their organisations.
“By becoming a Silver accredited Carbon Literate Organisation, Volkswagen Group UK has demonstrated its commitment to genuine low-carbon action, environmental and economic impact, and the building of a low-carbon future for us all.”
Driving Towards a More Sustainable Future
Leanne Thomas expressed her enthusiasm for the achievement: “I am delighted that Volkswagen Group has achieved Silver accreditation, and to see the growing interest, engagement, and excitement around the topic. Having support from members of our board of management has really helped us to move this forward, especially in allowing colleagues time and ‘permission’ to take part and then to fulfil their pledges. We’re really proud of the accreditation but even more proud of the changes we’re making and the impact it’s having on our carbon footprint. We’re looking forward to continuing to do more and grateful for the guidance and support of The Carbon Literacy Project team.”
Volkswagen’s Global Sustainability Vision
On a global scale, Volkswagen AG stands as the first major automotive company to align itself with the Paris Climate Agreement. As part of its comprehensive decarbonisation programme, the Group is focused on becoming a nature- and society-positive mobility provider under the regenerate+ strategy. Volkswagen is also spearheading the most extensive electrification initiative in the automotive industry, reinforcing its unwavering commitment to e-mobility and sustainable innovation.
By achieving Silver CLO accreditation, Volkswagen Group UK has taken another meaningful step towards a carbon-neutral future, setting a precedent for the automotive industry and demonstrating that corporate responsibility and sustainability must go hand in hand.
