Polestar joins Exponential Roadmap Initiative and UN Race to Zero

Polestar has signed up to the Exponential Roadmap Initiative as the Swedish manufacturer aims to create a truly climate-neutral car by 2030.

The initiative connects innovative, transformative and disruptive businesses committed to taking action in line with the 1.5-degree climate target, through exponential climate action and solutions.

The target, outlined in the Paris Agreement, means restricting a global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This will be crucial to hold off some of the worst impacts of climate change, and avoid irreversible damage to societies, economies and the natural world.

Joining the initiative, Polestar commits to going further than the decarbonisation of its own products and reduction of value chain emissions. The brand aims to integrate climate action deeply into its business strategy while working to influence wider society, towards net zero.

Polestar says its most important mission is to scale up business exponentially, enabling a faster phasing out of fossil fuel vehicles. The manufacturer has also committed to lead the development on minimal material and manufacturing carbon footprints, increased usage of the cars, green charging, and work towards full circularity.

In April 2021, Polestar announced the Polestar 0 project, a moonshot goal to create a truly climate-neutral car by 2030, without the use of offsetting through measures like tree-planting. Polestar aims to be fully climate neutral across its value chain by 2040.

Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar, commented: “We listen to the science that tells us that we are not moving fast enough to stay within the 1.5-degree climate target. The automotive sector can have a profound effect on this and we have to step up. Our partnership with the Exponential Roadmap Initiative will give us the opportunity to collaborate on climate strategies with companies who share our level of ambition. We also hope to use this platform to influence decision-makers and climate policy.”

Polestar’s head of sustainability, Fredrika Klarén, added: “We want to help change the narrative around climate change so that we start focusing on what actually creates impact. And we want to inject hope. Our company contributes to the exponential growth of solutions that can transform our world and build a sustainable society, and we are open to share what we do and collaborate to make that transformation happen.”

Johan Falk, head of the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, also said: “The race to zero is a journey of rapid decarbonisation, in which all companies must contribute to halving global emissions before 2030 towards net-zero on a global basis. It is also a journey of exponential growth, where innovators and disruptors play a key role through exponential climate solutions and action. Therefore, we are delighted that a frontrunner like Polestar join us.”