Committed to carbon neutral: why VELUX is a sustainable choice
How VELUX is becoming Lifetime Carbon Neutral
To become Lifetime Carbon Neutral we’re taking responsibility for both our past and future carbon emissions.
Firstly, via forest conservation projects identified and managed by WWF, we’re capturing the VELUX Group’s historical carbon footprint* - going back from our founding in 1941, right through to 2041.
We’re also working to reduce future CO2 emissions from our operations and value chain, in keeping with the latest climate science and the 1.5 degree Celsius target for global warming.
With this unique past-and-future approach, we will achieve our goal of becoming Lifetime Carbon Neutral by 2041, which is the 100th anniversary of VELUX.
Working with the WWF to support biodiversity and local communities
Our partnership with WWF is developing new forest and biodiversity projects in some of the world’s most carbon-rich environments, drawing on WWF’s expertise in knowing where new forests are needed and which old ones should be preserved. These projects will help halt habitat loss, deforestation and land degradation, while also providing local businesses with sustainable sources of timber.
- In partnership with WWF, we’re developing new forest projects that will help halt habitat loss and deforestation, boost biodiversity and benefit local communities.
- Trees have a unique ability to capture CO2 and release excess oxygen back into the atmosphere. Natural forests do this at a far greater scale, making them vital to combat climate change.
- VELUX is among the world’s first companies to take responsibility for both past and future CO2 emissions. We hope to inspire other companies to become Lifetime Carbon Neutral and help create a sustainable future.
Why capture carbon through forests?
Trees have a unique ability to capture CO2 from the air. They filter carbon dioxide 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 they’re vital in the fight against climate change. But they’re under constant threat from logging, agriculture, development and environmental changes. That’s why we’re working with WWD to help protect and restore these carbon-rich and biodiverse forests.
Our first carbon capture project is in Uganda and aims to restore degraded forests, plant new trees and protect the existing natural forests through a range of initiatives. Spanning around 28,000 hectares it’s located in the Ugandan part of the Albertine Riftone, one of the world's most biodiverse hotspots that has also seen a 73% deforestation rate in the past decade. So far more than 100,000 trees have been planted and it’s expected the forest project will capture 1 million tonnes of CO2. Together with WWF, our goal is to ensure these forest projects deliver strong benefits to both biodiversity and people for years to come.
A sustainable choice
When you choose VELUX products you can be assured you’ve chosen a company that’s actively committed to a sustainable future.
Our Lifetime Carbon Neutral pledge and partnership with WWF have been recognised by the United Nations as a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) success story and thus accredited as an SDG Good Practices initiative.
We believe we’re among the first companies in the world – and the first company in the construction industry - to take responsibility for both past and future CO2 emissions. We hope that we will inspire other companies to become Lifetime Carbon Neutral and help create a sustainable future for all.