Toy manufacturer LEGO Group partners with WWF to focus on collaboration with suppliers to reduce total carbon emissions

Just a tenth of the total carbon emission related to LEGO® products originates from processes taking place at LEGO factories during production of LEGO bricks and sets. The LEGO Group is now expanding the dialogue with suppliers to reduce the total impact on the environment.

Billund, Denmark, 02-12-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — As part of the LEGO Group’s ambition to deliver a positive impact on the planet, the toy manufacturer has signed a partnership today with WWF pledging to intensify their work to improve performance on a range of environmental priorities – including greater focus on collaboration with suppliers to reduce total carbon emissions.

Highlights from the partnership agreement:

• In 2014 the LEGO Group will initiate test projects together with suppliers to co-create best solutions to address the supply chain carbon emission impact.
• The LEGO Group will work with an environmental strategy for materials which could include producing products using fewer materials, keeping the recyclability high and using renewable or recycled materials.
• The LEGO Group will look into how it can best innovate its products to be more sustainable.
• By the end of 2016, the energy used to manufacture one tonne of LEGO elements must be reduced by, minimum, ten percent compared to 2012.
• The LEGO Group has committed to produce more renewable energy than the company uses in its facilities, i.e. be 100%+ renewable* by 2016.

Commenting on the new partnership, the LEGO Group’s CEO, Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, says;

“We have experienced strong growth for eight consecutive years and, as we grow, we are becoming increasingly aware of the impact we leave on the planet. Partnering with WWF is an important step in our efforts to get the best out of our sustainability initiatives. We are proud to contribute to WWF’s overall vision of 100% renewable energy by 2050 and already now they have played a part in the targets we have set – and how we can achieve them.”

Gitte Seeberg, CEO of WWF Denmark comments on the partnership;

“Rapid climate change is the largest threat against nature and human society worldwide. This is a key focus for WWF globally. Working with companies, such as the LEGO Group, which shares our concern, is essential to be able to achieve our vision of 100 % renewable energy by 2050. With the support of WWF, Climate Savers member companies have cut their CO_² emissions by more than 100 million tonnes since 1999. This is about twice the current yearly CO_² emissions of Denmark. Therefore, changes in corporate practice are essential if there is to be real progress for the climate. And in WWF we are very happy that a major player like the LEGO Group is now also a Climate Saver.”

Innovation with suppliers to multiply positive impact
If the LEGO Group reduced carbon emissions directly related to production at LEGO factories by a minimum of ten percent, which is the target, this would remove approximately 10,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. But, only ten percent of the total carbon emission from the entire value chain related to LEGO^® products originates from the processes taking place at LEGO factories during moulding, decoration and packaging of LEGO bricks.

The remaining 90% of the carbon emissions stem from supply chain activities such as raw material extraction and refinement, indirect procurement, distribution from LEGO factories to toy stores around the world and end of life impact when the products are eventually scrapped.

“If we are able to inspire and enable our supply chain to also achieve a reduction in their production at a similar level, the total emissions would be reduced by 100,000 tonnes. Such a reduction would be equivalent to taking approximately 28,000 cars off the streets!” says Robbert Stecher, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs at the LEGO Group, adding:

“We feel that it is natural to engage in a closer dialogue with our suppliers so that, together, we can join forces to reduce the carbon emissions and collaborate on a common goal of making a positive impact on the environment and society at large.”

The LEGO Group wishes to produce more renewable energy than it consumes
While the LEGO Group is now increasing focus on suppliers – it still remains ambitious and dedicated on reducing its own environmental impact. For a number of years the LEGO Group and the WWF have had a dialogue on a range of sustainability topics such as sourcing sustainable packaging materials through FSC and partnering on the launch of the WindMade initiative.

Now the formal partnership puts focus on going beyond zero carbon emissions*.The LEGO Group is already right on track to meet this ambition with concrete action; the commissioning of an offshore wind farm in Germany where the production of energy from the LEGO Group’s part of the wind farm equals the energy consumption of approximately 100,000 residential homes.

“We witness constant constraints on the natural resources globally. Continuing with business as usual is not an option, not for the planet or for companies. The problems can best be solved by working together, and our initiated partnership with the LEGO Group shows that joining forces can amplify and accelerate the positive impact we need. Taking the lead and driving sustainable change in the value chain is showing genuine responsibility” says Gitte Seeberg, CEO WWF Denmark

* This means that the total CO₂ emission, measured in tonnes of carbon from the LEGO Group must be more than balanced through the ownership and operation of renewable energy facilities.

Facts about WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest conservation organizations. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:
• conserving the world’s biological diversity
• ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
• promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
The organization has offices in more than 80 countries around the world and values the support of more than 5 million people.

More information about WWF can be found at: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/how_we_work/businesses/

What is the WWF Climate Savers program?
The Climate Savers programme is WWF’s global platform to engage business and industry on climate and energy.

The intention of the programme is to inspire a change in thinking about climate solutions in companies and encourage them to transform themselves to low-carbon leaders, acting as agents of change within their sphere of influence. This leaves member companies in a better position to avoid carbon-related risks while realising opportunities within their long-term business strategies.

Media contacts:
The LEGO Group: Sustainability Communication Manager, Morten Vestberg
+4552159259 / Morten.Vestberg@LEGO.com

WWF: Communications Advisor, Mie Oehlenschläger, mo@wwf.dk / +4531478812

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