The EU has set a very high standard for energy efficiency: 20 percent of all the energy must be climate-friendly by 2020. Sweden and automobile manufacturer Volvo are taking the lead.
As petrol prices remain at near-record levels, companies are working hard to find, and develop, alternative fuels. Experts say cheaper, renewable energy will not only save money but consumers will increasingly seek companies and products that are eco-friendly.
Volvo Trucks intends to be the first non-polluting heavy industry by this year. Volvo first went about tackling emissions by selling "carbon-free" trucks – trucks that use renewable and recycled materials in an effort to offset CO2 emissions. Now, they say that their goal is to make all of their manufacturing plants ‘carbon-neutral’ too.
The first Volvo manufacturing plant which does not spew carbon (in the overall balance) is in Belgium. In late 2007, the Volvo Truck production facility in Ghent became the world's first CO2-free automotive assembly plant. According to Volvo CEO Leif Johansson, ”It is not an easy undertaking, but we are prepared to try different alternatives to achieve our goal for CO2-free production in our plants."
In order to make their non-carbon plans a reality, the company built three wind-power plants on-site, which will provide half the power for the plant. For the rest of their electricity, Volvo will turn to the Belgium energy company, Electrabel, which will provide certified green energy.