Volkswagen Group Receives World Environment Center’s 30th Anniversary Gold Medal Award for Sustainable Development in 2014
Award recognizes Volkswagen’s holistic approach to sustainability
Washington, D.C., May 16, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Volkswagen Group has earned the World Environment Center’s (WEC) 30th Anniversary Gold Medal award for its comprehensive commitment to environmental preservation and eco-mobility. Christian Klingler, member of the Board of Directors of Volkswagen Group of America, and member of Volkswagen AG’s Board of Management responsible for Sales & Marketing, accepted the award in a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 15, 2014.
“Volkswagen Group is deeply honored to be recognized by the World Environment Center for our endeavors to create a society where conservation and eco-mobility are truly standard practices, not the exception,” said Christian Klingler. “Volkswagen will continue to seek forward-thinking solutions to address the environmental challenges of today and the future.”
Volkswagen’s Gold Medal submission was evaluated through a global competition with companies in multiple business sectors by WEC’s independent Gold Medal Jury chaired by Dr. Joel Abrams, Professor Emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh. The Jury determined that Volkswagen earned the award on the merits of its long-term dedication to integrating sustainability into its business products and operations.
“As one of the world’s leading companies Volkswagen is providing unique commitments,” noted Dr. Terry F. Yosie, WEC’s President & CEO. “Volkswagen’s approach to sustainability is both broad and deep across its business operations.”
Volkswagen’s holistic approach to sustainability instills eco-conscious behaviors in all aspects of its operations. This includes following a strong set of environmental principles when building cars—at every stage of a vehicle’s lifecycle—from design to eventual recycling; establishing sustainability contracts with suppliers; providing efficiency training throughout Volkswagen’s global workforce; and striving to achieve the most efficient manufacturing facilities in the World.
Volkswagen Group of America’s factory in Chattanooga, Tenn., home of the U.S. Passat, is the only automotive plant in the world to have earned platinum-certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the U.S. Green Building Council. The plant conserves 720,000 kilowatts of energy annually through insulation made of recycled materials and rock wool, and has saved more than 6 million gallons of water, to date, through rainwater collection. Volkswagen Group of America has six LEED-certified facilities located in the United States.
In 2013, a 66 acre solar park, the largest solar park in the state of Tennessee, was installed on the Volkswagen Chattanooga site. The 33,000 solar panels generate 13.1 gigawatt-hours of electricity each year—enough to power 1,200 homes annually.
Volkswagen Group offers the largest low-CO2 fleet in the global market, with high-performing and efficient powertrain options, including TDI® Clean Diesel, Turbo Stratified Injection (TSI), hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric.
The World Environment Center’s Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development was established in 1985 to recognize significant industry initiatives in global environmental excellence and sustainable development. Recent recipients of the WEC Gold Medal Award are Unilever (2013), IBM (2012), Nestlé (2011), Wal-Mart Stores (2010), The Coca-Cola Company (2009), and Marks & Spencer (2008).
