IAA in Munich: BMW is tightening climate targets and focusing on recycling

BMW is setting itself more ambitious climate targets and is committed to the goal of climate neutrality - as the first German car manufacturer.

Munich - The Munich-based car manufacturer BMW * has once again tightened its climate targets that were decided just a year ago.

As the company announced on Thursday in Munich, the CO2 footprint of cars from raw materials to decommissioning should not only be reduced by 33 percent, but “by at least 40 percent”.

The target is the year 2030. In addition to the ramp-up of electromobility, the recycling of expensive raw materials should help.

"It's not just about ecological sustainability, but also about economic sustainability," said CEO Oliver Zipse *.

"Because the current development of raw material prices shows what effects an industry that is dependent on limited resources must expect." BMW expects additional costs of at least half a billion euros for raw materials this year.

Today almost 30 percent of the cars are made from recycled material, the goal for the model generations from 2025 is 50 percent.

The "Spiegel" had previously reported on the plans.

BMW: Car manufacturer strives for climate neutrality by 2050

With the growing share of e-cars, the demand for cobalt, nickel, aluminum and other raw materials is increasing.

In addition to availability and rising prices, sustainability also speaks in favor of a circular economy: "In 2017, mankind consumed more than 100 billion tons of raw materials within a year for the first time - we must also counter this trend in the automotive industry," said Zipse.

Secondary material is significantly less CO2 intensive.

At the IAA auto show next week, the group wants to make the circular economy its leitmotif.

At the same time, BMW is the first German car manufacturer to commit to the goal of climate neutrality.

The company has tied the executive board salaries to the achievement of the climate targets.