At its Sustainability Update 2025, Mercedes-Benz highlighted significant progress across its six key sustainability focus areas, further integrating sustainable practices into its everyday operations. While recognizing regional differences in the pace of transformation, the company reaffirmed its commitment to the future of electric mobility. Ongoing dialogue with stakeholders and experts confirms that sustainability risks remain consistent, prompting Mercedes-Benz to maintain its comprehensive approach to achieving its goals. This is reflected in improvements across various sustainability ratings.
The recent world premiere of the all-new electric CLA marks the beginning of a new era for the company, bringing its ambition to electrify its product portfolio closer to customers. Mercedes-Benz is also increasing its investment in renewable energy for production, with 50% of energy needs at its plants now met by renewable sources. Additionally, carbon emissions at production facilities dropped by 75% in 2024, with a target of 80% by 2030.
The Rastatt plant in Germany, where the new CLA is produced, is fully powered by green electricity, sourced from both on-site solar systems and external providers. This plant has also become more energy-efficient, reducing energy consumption for CLA production by 15% compared to the previous model. Decarbonization efforts in logistics are progressing, aiming for a 60% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2039. In 2024, the company achieved a significant reduction in emissions to 1.0 ton per vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz also made strides in waste reduction, achieving a 38% reduction in waste for disposal compared to 2023, partly due to improved recycling efforts. In European plants, waste for disposal has been cut to 250g per vehicle. Human rights considerations remain central to the company’s sustainable business strategy. By 2028, Mercedes-Benz plans to fully assess high human rights and environmental risks in the supply chain of 24 critical raw materials, with 65% of this task already completed in 2024—exceeding its assessment target.
“With the all-new CLA, we’re making a great leap forward in realising our Ambition 2039. It’s the most efficient Mercedes‑Benz ever built and sets new standards in terms of charging speed. At the same time, it demonstrates our progress in decarbonising our value chain and closing the loop. As we embark on the biggest product launch program in the history of Mercedes‑Benz, pioneering technology remains key to achieving our sustainability targets.” added Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG.
“In a time of growing global uncertainties, we continue to take proactive measures to ensure a real difference within our six sustainability focus areas aiming to anchor sustainability firmly in our operational business. We want and need to be ahead – for example by proactively identifying and addressing potential issues in our value chain. The goal is to avoid potential risks at an early stage ensuring the future success of Mercedes‑Benz.” commented Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, Integrity, Governance & Sustainability.
“We continue to make strong progress on our “road to zero” by executing our sustainability plans. Increasing energy efficiency and expanding the share of renewable energy we use in production make sense not just from an ecological standpoint, but also from a business perspective. During 2024, we achieved savings of more than 300 GWh for the second year running and we are well on track to reduce the energy, water and waste part in production costs by a further 25 percent by 2030.” added Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, Production, Quality & Supply Chain Management.
“Our goal is to remain a reliable employer well into the future. We have introduced an extensive set of measures aimed at managing personnel costs and enhancing flexibility to strengthen competitiveness without compromising social responsibility together with the General Works Council, on this foundation, we have extended the job guarantee for our workforce at German sites until 2035. This decision reflects our strong confidence in both our team and our products.” said Sabine Kohleisen, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, Human Relations & Labour Director.
