THE SUSTAINABILITY INTERVIEW
Volkswagen Group, one of the world’ s leading automotive conglomerates, is transforming its sustainability ambitions with a blueprint intended to regenerate value for people, planet and business. Leading this strategy is Chief Sustainability Officer Dirk Voeste.
Over the past two and a half years, Dirk has brought fresh perspective from a diverse background – first as a biologist, then as a space scientist and later as sustainability lead for chemical giant BASF – to Volkswagen Group, which encompasses brands such as Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, Porsche, Škoda, SEAT and more. His decision to join Volkswagen was an unplanned, dynamic step, shaped by a sense of duty to“ clean up something our generation left”, as encouraged by his family.
“ To me, it’ s about impact – but it’ s also about business and how we drive it,” Dirk explains.
The foundations of VW’ s sustainability strategy Much of VW’ s work builds on what Dirk describes as“ enormous, energising, impactful” activity – connecting technical innovation with deep-rooted values, strategising for long-term effect and embedding a culture where sustainability is a shared language and business imperative.
Despite his science-based entry point into sustainability through aerospace, agricultural and chemical sectors, Dirk’ s
approach at VW pivots around a fourpillared philosophy. The Regenerate + strategy reframes traditional models, moving from the classic triad of environment, society and business to an expanded quartet:
• Nature
• Society
• Business
• People
22 November 2025