Velux

20-YEAR PARTNERSHIP PROTECTING FORESTS FOR CLIMATE, NATURE, AND PEOPLE

In September 2020, WWF and the VELUX Group launched an ambitious partnership, which commits the company to take responsibility for both its past and future emissions.

The innovative partnership focuses on the conservation and restoration of forests through a number of projects around the globe and the partnership simultaneously aims at enhancing biodiversity and improving the livelihood of local communities.

Nature is in crisis and climate change is the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. Tackling it involves every single one of us, and governments and businesses need to commit to more ambitious action to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

A HISTORICAL CO2 PLAN

The VELUX Group has joined the Science Based Targets initiative, committing to reduce its own CO2 emissions as well as from its entire value chain. This is in line with what climate science points out is necessary to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Through forest projects developed and driven by WWF, the VELUX Group will capture at least 4.5 million tonnes of CO2e, equivalent to the VELUX Group’s historical CO2 emissions since it was founded in 1941 and until its 100-year anniversary in 2041 (scope 1 and 2). The projects will be designed with a 25% buffer, bringing the total estimated carbon capture to 5.6 million tonnes of CO2.

In addition to the partnership with WWF, the VELUX Group is furthermore committed to reduce its own carbon footprint to near zero and to halve its value chain emission by 2030.

OLD TREES – NEW IDEAS

Healthy forests are crucial for both planet and people. Forests keep the climate stable, absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate water supply and improve the quality of water. Furthermore, they are home to more than half of all species found on land and to a variety of life that keeps natural systems running.

Our forests are in a crisis. According to the UN, 88,000 sq. km of natural forest is lost every year – equivalent to the size of London every week. And only 17 per cent of the remaining valuable forest is being protected.

Fortunately, nature itself has solutions to combat these challenges. By storing CO2 in old tropical forests with a high density of threatened species, we can fight climate change while saving our planet’s valuable biodiversity.

88,000 SQ. KM OF NATURAL FOREST IS LOST EVERY YEAR

Fortunately, nature itself has solutions to combat these challenges. By storing CO2 in old tropical forests with a high density of threatened species, we can fight climate change while saving our planet’s valuable biodiversity.

Natural Forest Regeneration and Protection, Uganda

The partnership's first forest project is located in Uganda. The project aims to restore degraded forests, plant new trees and protect the existing natural forests through a range of initiatives. It is expected that the project will capture 1 million tonnes of CO2.

The project in Uganda spans approx. 28,000 ha in the Ugandan part of one of the world's most biodiversity hotspots, the Albertine Rift, which stretches over six countries in East Africa. This area is severely affected by deforestation due to the need for farmland, timber, and charcoal. One of the worst affected areas, Kagombe in Uganda, has seen a deforestation rate of 73% in the past decade.

The forest project in Uganda is in the implementation phase and more than 100,000 trees have now been planted. More forest projects will be added in the coming years.

NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

Our planet is facing a dual climate and biodiversity crisis. People and nature worldwide are already feeling the effects of climate change. Water supplies are shrinking, extreme weather events are increasing, forests are burning, and coral reefs are dying. According to IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) around a million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction.

But nature loss is also a business risk, as it can interrupt supply chains and result in companies losing their license to operate. On the other hand, nature itself provides the solutions to the threats we have put upon it.

Nature-based solutions use nature to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help society adapt to the impacts of climate change. They involve protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing the ecosystems we all depend on. Accelerating action to halt the nature crisis is our only opportunity to secure a sustainable supply of resources in the future. Our global economy and individual businesses have much to gain by developing economic models that function in harmony with our planet.

A partnership of action

The global tree restoration potential is about 25% of the total emitted CO2 to the planetary atmosphere. Safeguarding forests and halting deforestation can effectively help achieve targets set out under the Paris Agreement and help limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Through this innovative 20-year partnership, WWF wants to spread hope and inspire companies to follow the example of the VELUX Group who is taking responsibility for both their future and past environmental impacts.

WWF seeks to work with those who have the greatest potential to reduce the biggest pressures on the diversity of life on earth and together find solutions to conservation challenges such as deforestation, overfishing, water scarcity and climate change. That’s why we work constructively with businesses in a variety of ways – from forming strategic partnerships with shared goals, to campaigning together, engaging employees and inspiring customers.