THE SUSTAINABILITY INTERVIEW
“ If this works in our suppliers and own assets, it’ s a form of resilience. It’ s not philanthropic, but a business reason. If you can combine both, the better.”
The Group also empowers employees across its global brands – whether in Germany, France, UK, Canada, Spain, China or beyond – with an internal sustainability impact fund. This supports grassroots proposals for neighbourhood engagement, energy efficiency and process innovation in plant operations.“ Ownership is with the people,” Dirk stresses.
Staff empowerment and organisational engagement in sustainability Stakeholder buy-in is central to Volkswagen’ s sustainability transformation. Employee engagement is encouraged, not only via financial backing but by fostering transparent dialogue.“ In the last year, over 9,000 initiatives reduced energy consumption, saving 3.5 million megawatt hours annually – all through small, sustained changes,” Dirk says.
Governance is refreshed, too. A‘ sustainability practice group’ model supports each of Regenerate +’ four pillars, with three internal and three external experts on areas like nature, society, people and business. Advisory groups meet at least twice yearly with the board, cross-pollinating expertise between the World Wildlife Fund, biodiversity specialists and zero-carbon NGOs, as well as project leaders.
This network drives actionable knowledge and holds the organisation accountable.“ You can always call the expert – on circular economy, decarbonisation, biodiversity
30 November 2025