External environmental awards
The Volkswagen Group and its brands received numerous awards for environmental protection and sustainability projects in 2014. Here are some examples:
Not one, but two cars in the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand received the accolade of “most environmentally friendly vehicles” in all classes in 2014 from AUTOTEST, the magazine for car buyers published by AUTO BILD, and ÖKOTREND, the independent environmental research institute. The eco up! took first place in the small car category and the Passat 1.4 TSI EcoFuel was the winner in the upper midsize category. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions were not the only deciding factors – the jury also took account of the Company’s environmental impact and its ecological and social responsibility efforts.
The “Green Truck 2014” award from specialist journals “VerkehrsRundschau” and “Trucker” went to the Scania G 410 with Euro 6 technology in March 2014. As the best performer in terms of consumption and emissions, the G 410 headed the environmental ranking by a large margin.
The MAN Lion's City GL CNG received the “Bus of the Year 2015” award in the Bus Euro Test. The low-pollution, climate-friendly articulated bus with Euro 6 technology impressed the jury of European trade journalists. Fueled by biogas or e-gas, operation of the bus is close to carbon neutral. The vehicle concept also contributed to its high rating: as the only five-door on the market, it ensures optimal passenger flow and short stop times.
In April 2014, Audi received a DEKRA report on the calculation of its carbon footprint, which was certified in accordance with ISO 14064. The report confirmed the emissions calculated for the entire lifecycle of its models. Audi can use the carbon footprint to make its company-wide greenhouse gas emissions more transparent and subsequently analyze them more accurately and reduce them.
The Volkswagen Group received the “Gold Medal Award 2013 for Sustainable Development” in May 2014. The non-profit World Environmental Center recognized Volkswagen’s achievements in sustainable development and environmentally-conscious business practices with the prize. The jury highlighted the Volkswagen Group’s understanding of sustainability as a strategic goal and its exemplary implementation.
Audi was voted the most sustainable company in the “Sustainability Image Score” sustainability rankings produced by consultancy Facit Research. The annual study is based on a survey of German consumers. In 2014, a representative sample of more than 8,000 consumers rated 104 companies in 16 industries. Audi led the rankings in all three aspects of sustainability – economic, environmental and social.
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand was also acknowledged for its holistic economic, environmental and social responsibility, receiving the “Nachhaltigkeitspreis 2014” (Sustainability Prize 2014) with a “Gold” rating. The Germany-wide survey was conducted by “DEUTSCHLAND TEST”, “FOCUS MONEY” and consultants Faktenkontor. Volkswagen Passenger Cars received the highest rating of 37 automobile brands. It scored particularly highly for economic responsibility, meaning the brand’s commitment to economic success and hence stable employment.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars' “Think Blue. Factory.” environmental program won the “National Energy Globe Award Germany” in July 2014. The careful use of resources in production was one of the key factors in the program being voted the country's best environmental project. The prize has been awarded annually to regional, national and international environmental projects under the auspices of the Energy Globe Foundation since 1999.
The Volkswagen Group received the 2014 policy award in the Corporate Social Responsibility category for its strategic partnership with the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU). The politik & kommunikation magazine awards the prize each year for the best political, public and social campaigns and innovations.