Environmental experts have warned that offsetting is not sustainable in the long run. Questions around the long-term carbon-storage capacity of forests and soils remain, as a forest might be logged, devastated by fire or altered by climate change.
“Offsetting is a cop-out,” said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath.
“By pushing ourselves to create a completely climate-neutral car, we are forced to reach beyond what is possible today. We will have to question everything, innovate and look to exponential technologies as we design towards zero.”
Polestar’s Head of Sustainability, Fredrika Klarén, said: “We’re electric, so we don’t have to worry about combustion engines producing toxic emissions – but that doesn’t mean our job is done. We will now work to eradicate all emissions stemming from production. Now is a historic and exciting time for car makers, an opportunity to seize the moment, do better and dare to build the dream of climate-neutral, circular and beautiful cars.”
Climate action is already being incorporated throughout the Polestar business, and climate targets are integrated in the Polestar employee bonus system.
Sustainability declarations, common in industries like food and fashion, will be applied to all future Polestar models. Starting with Polestar 2 and initially disclosing carbon footprint and traced risk materials, labelling will appear on the company website and in Polestar Spaces, setting a transparency precedent for the industry. Reflecting continuous sustainability updates, additional details and information will be added over time.
"Today, Polestar 2 leaves the factory gates with a carbon footprint. In 2030, we want to present a car that does not,” said Ingenlath.
