Volvo 2007 Annual Report Download - page 38
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Please find page 38 of the 2007 Volvo annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.Sharply reduced emisssions
2000
0
20
60
40
80
120
100
Emissions from highway transports in the EU.
1995 2007
CO
VOC
NOx
Benzene
CO2
SO2
PM-diesel
Source: ACEA
Volvo Group – Global Environmental targets
In production
• Reducing energy consumption by 50% per pro-
duced unit by 2008 compared with 2003
• Doubling the use of carbon-dioxide-neutral
energy by 2008 compared with 2003
• Terminating all use of oil and coal for the heating
of facilities
When the products are used
• Achieving high fuel effi ciency and low emissions
throughout product lifecycles
• Measuring against the best
• Consistently carrying out activities to become the
industry leader
• Producing environmental data for follow-up and
communication for each new product developed
• Implementing a strategy for tomorrow’s fuels
• Including alternative fuels and alternative drive-
lines in product plans.
largely on the development of new drivelines,
energy effi ciency and alternative fuels.
More effi cient engines lead
to reduced emissions
The products use mainly diesel engines, since
they have high energy effi ciency and low
emissions. In many countries, government
agencies are imposing increasingly strict
requirements of reduced emissions, particu-
larly of nitrous oxides and particle matters. In
order to comply with these requirements, the
Group is developing new engine technology
that reduces consumption and emissions.
Reduced fuel consumption benefi ts both the
environment and customers’ profi tability, since
fuel accounts for a large proportion of their
costs. Since 1980, the fuel consumption of
Volvo’s trucks has declined by 30% at the
same time as the emissions of NOx and PM
have been reduced. Over the past 30 years,
diesel engines have seen a hundredfold reduc-
tion of regulated emissions of NOx and PM.
The Volvo Group has the world’s most
state-of-the-art program for heavy diesel
engines. The new, heavy engine family will
meet all known emissions requirements that
come into effect from now until 2014. The
development work, which has taken place
within the Group, was recognized with the
Volvo Technology Prize for 2007.
Carbon-dioxide-neutral trucks
As part of its work with alternative fuels, the
Volvo Group was the fi rst vehicle manufacturer
to develop seven heavy duty demonstration
trucks, all of which can be driven without net
emissions of climate-impacting carbon dioxide.
The trucks can operate on biodiesel, biogas,
biogas combined with biodiesel, ethanol/
methanol, DME, synthetic diesel and hydrogen
gas combined with biogas. These fuels are
made from renewable raw materials and when
burned add no additional carbon dioxide to the
ecosystem. The Volvo Group has thus shown
that it is prepared for the fuels of the future,
regardless on which of them the government
decides to focus.
At the same time, the Volvo Group continues to
work on developing hybrid technology. The Group’s
hybrid solution can generate fuel savings of up to
35% in heavy duty vehicles. The largest savings
relate to driving that involves a great deal of brak-
ing and accelerating – for example, urban bus traf-
fi c, urban distribution operations and refuse collec-
tion duties. Field testing of hybrid vehicles will
commence in 2008 in for instance London.
Lifecycle analyses
The Volvo Group manufactures a large number
of products. Environmental care is present
already in the product development stage.
Lifecycle analyses provide a complete picture
of the product’s environmental impact
throughout its lifecycle, from raw material to
waste product.
To describe the environmental impact of
the most important products, environmental
declarations are prepared. These declarations
consist of three parts: manufacturing, use and
scrapping. The basic principle is that every
new product must have less environmental
impact that the product it replaces.
Social responsibility
A key factor in realizing the Group’s vision is
the contribution of the employees and their
knowledge and expertise.
The Volvo Group aims to create a favorable
work environment that contributes to the devel-
opment of its competitiveness and attractiveness.
As part of this aim, an increasing number of its
operations are being certifi ed in accordance with
the international standard for work-environment
management systems, OHSAS 18001. In recent
years, efforts to promote health and reduce sick
leave have been intensifi ed. These efforts encom-
pass work-place ergonomics, health risks, sup-
port programs and medical examinations.
Supply of strategic competence
In their business plans, the companies in the
Volvo Group specify the skills that must be
assured and developed to enable the com-
Key fi gures
2006 2007
Number of employees at year-end 83,187 101,698
Share of women, % 17 17
Share of woman, Board Member, % 11 11
Share of women, Presidents and other senior executives, % 15 15
Absence due to illness of regular working hours, %
Total absence due to illness of regular working hours, % 4.7 5.1
of which continous sick leave for 60 days or more, % 49.6 46.2
Absence due to illness (as percentage of regular working hours) by gender
Men, % 4.4 4.8
Women, % 5.7 6.3
Absence due to illness (as percentage of regular working hours) by age
29 years or younger, % 4.1 4.6
30–49 years, % 4.7 5.1
50 years and older, % 5.1 5.5
34 Board of Directors’ Report 2007