The Volkswagen Group has unveiled a new format for its sustainability initiatives with the launch of Sustainability Practice Groups, aimed at driving forward its holistic “regenerate+” strategy. The announcement was made at The Volkswagen Group Sustainability Forum in Berlin, where over 90 experts from science, civil society, and industry gathered to discuss key sustainability challenges and opportunities.
The new Sustainability Practice Groups consist of twelve independent experts from academia, industry, and civil society, each contributing to one of four strategic dimensions: Nature, Our People, Society, and Business. These experts will collaborate closely with Volkswagen’s own specialists, working together to create practical solutions that can be directly implemented to advance the regenerate+ vision. This vision focuses on achieving positive contributions to both nature and society through sustainable mobility solutions.
Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “Sustainability forms the foundation of our values guiding us in all our responsible actions at Volkswagen Group. The independent Sustainability Council brings a fresh perspective to our organization, providing valuable insights to drive our transformation and growth.”
Dirk Voeste, Volkswagen’s Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasized the collaborative approach of the new format, saying, “By introducing the new Sustainability Practice Groups, we are fostering a constructive and critical dialogue beyond our corporate boundaries. Collaborating with leading experts from science, industry, and civil society, we seek to continuously enhance our regenerate+ sustainability strategy.”
Each of the four groups will address one of the core pillars of Volkswagen’s sustainability agenda:
- Nature: Focused on environmental preservation and biodiversity, with experts like Frauke Fischer from University of Würzburg and Rebecca Tauer from WWF Germany.
- Our People: Concentrating on labor practices and workforce well-being, including contributions from Christine Schildmann of the Hans-Böckler-Foundation and Joel Hartter from the University of Colorado.
- Society: Addressing broader societal impacts, this group includes Aron Cramer of Business for Social Responsibility and Marcin Piersiak from the Alliance for Responsible Mining.
- Business: Aimed at sustainable business practices, with Rosaline May Lee from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and William Todts from Transport & Environment contributing their expertise.
The restructured format is a departure from the previous advisory-focused council that was established in 2016. The new approach places greater emphasis on practical actions and direct impact, aligning with Volkswagen’s mission to integrate sustainability deeply into its operational practices.
The Sustainability Practice Groups will play a pivotal role in advancing the goals of the regenerate+ strategy, which was introduced earlier this year. By ensuring that insights from external experts translate into actionable outcomes, the Volkswagen Group aims to solidify its position as a leader in sustainable mobility and contribute meaningfully to global sustainability goals.
