Environmental and social commitment

Sustainability

Audi in China will do its part in support China in achieving its goal to have peak CO₂ emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Audi continues to improve energy efficiency in China, expand the application of renewable energy in its production sites, and reduce and compensate emissions from the whole value chain through various measures. In terms of resource management, Audi strives to improve land use efficiency and optimize logistics and transportation by compactly arranging production departments and establishing joint workshops as far as possible.

The future production plant for electric models of the Audi FAW NEV Company in Changchun will set new standards in efficiency and sustainability. As part of Audi's company-wide environmental program, “Mission Zero,” Audi is pursuing sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing with the goal of carbon-neutral automobile production. A significant proportion of the building’s energy supply will be generated in-house, among other sources, via photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the plant.

Also at the Changchun location, the new Q-Factory production site for Audi SUV models was commissioned in 2018. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, including the EcoDryScrubber dry separation system employed in the paint shop.

Investments have also been made in resource conservation in existing buildings, such as the use of residual heat and a more efficient dryer in the paint shop. Its paint workshop has one of the world’s highest levels of automation for an automotive workshop, with an automation rate of over 80%. As a result of the various energy efficiency measures, around 100,000 metric tons of CO₂ are saved at the Changchun site every year.

The factory in Foshan was also built according to environmental precepts, employing technologies such as heat recovery, a closed process water circuit, and integrated recycling. A ten‑megawatt solar power system was installed on the factory roofs back in 2015.

Since 2017, the ultra-modern E-Cube paint separation technique has been used at the paint shop in Foshan, which significantly reduces energy demand and water consumption compared to conventional methods. Modern, electrically operated servo presses are used at the pressing plant, reducing oil consumption and machine wear. As a result of these and other measures, Audi saves some 26,500 metric tons of CO₂ at Foshan every year.

The MEB plant is supplied with 100% renewable electricity through onsite solar photovoltaics (PV) installation as well as the direct purchase of renewable electricity and certificates. 

Audi China’s Logistics Department has launched LOGISTICS, an upgraded product shipping and packaging solution that helps reduce carbon emissions with environmentally friendly packaging, and it has effectively rolled out LOGISTICS at local plants. At Audi's three principal import harbors, the brand’s digitalization and sustainability are continuously advanced with actions in different areas, including digital upgrades, electrification transformation, new energy development, and human-oriented employee improvement.

With its CSR strategy, Audi China is also committed to environmental protection. Audi China has joined the cause to support the Volkswagen Group’s Green Belt project. As of 2023, the project has completed a total of 2.55 Mio trees afforested, with a gross afforestation area of 12 Mio square meters. Adhering to the corporate social responsibility vision of “To Enlighten A Beautiful Life,” Audi China launched a new corporate social responsibility program—the Audi China Biodiverse City Program in May 2023 and is committed to actively implementing corporate social responsibility and advocating a green lifestyle.