MAN: Towards a sustainable, social and more cli-mate friendly future

• Sustainability is an integral part of the corporate strategy 
• Decarbonisation of the truck fleet is of central importance 
• Voluntary commitment to climate protection through participation in the SBTi 
• CEO Alexander Vlaskamp: "Production of E-trucks is set to start as soon as 2024" 
   

Without sustainability, there is no future. In accordance with this elementary realisation, MAN Truck & Bus has embedded this topic firmly in its corporate strategy for the first time in its more than a hundred years of history. A commitment to this effect is at the heart of the 2021 sustainability report submitted to the UN Global Compact – the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative – by the Munich-based truck and bus manufacturer on 9 June 2022. The strategy is oriented along the guidelines provided by the Global Compact, of which MAN has been a member for many years, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

"Even in these difficult times, we stand by our corporate responsibility and regard sustainable action as a requirement for remaining competitive and meeting global challenges," says the CEO of MAN’s executive board, Alexander Vlaskamp. "We want to become a sustainable company. This goal must become embedded in our DNA, deep in the awareness of all our employees," adds Stefan Klatt, Head of Corporate Responsibility at MAN, a member of the TRATON GROUP and one of Europe’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.

The key aim is the decarbonisation of the fleet

The decarbonisation of the fleet plays a central role in the company’s sustainability strategy. A massive 97.4 percent of all MAN greenhouse gas emissions are generated by the use of the products. By 2030, the greenhouse gas emissions per kilometre driven by trucks, buses and vans sold by MAN are to be 28 percent lower than their 2019 levels. MAN is aiming for a greenhouse gas neutral balance sheet by 2050 at the latest – net zero emissions throughout the entire value creation chain. The commercial vehicle manufacturer committed to these targets in 2021 as part of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a climate protection initiative.

Seven areas for environment, social and governance action

Overall, the three key areas, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) are the focuses of the MAN sustainability strategy. They are regarded as a single unit. Within ESG, measures are undertaken in the following seven areas of action: • Decarbonisation • Circular Economy • Responsible Transport and Mobility Solutions (Environment) • People and Culture • Product, Service and Transport Safety (Social) • Compliance, Ethics and Integrity • Responsibility throughout the Value Creation Chain (Governance).

2024 to see the start of electric HGV production

The most important strategic measure to save CO2 is the electrification of the MAN fleet – a transformation that has already begun. "By the end of the decade, at least half of the vehicles we sell in the EU will be electric," enthuses MAN CEO, Vlaskamp. Since the market launch of the MAN Lion’s City E fully electric city bus in 2020, delivery contracts have already been signed for more than 1000 units. Vlaskamp: "We will also be starting production of electric HGVs in early 2024." These E-trucks will meet the technical requirements for a daily range of 600 to 800 kilometres. MAN is also working with partners to develop a hydrogen truck.

Low CO₂ production planned for 2030

CO₂ emissions from production are to be reduced to half their 2015 levels by 2025. Low-CO₂ production is planned for 2030, generating 95 percent less CO2 and offsetting the remaining 5 percent that cannot be saved due to operational reasons. CO₂ emissions per vehicle produced fell in the 2021 reporting period by 27 percent in comparison with the previous year, with absolute figures per site dropping by 21 percent. Furthermore, procurement processes, logistics and supply chains will all be optimised with an eye to the environment.

Attractive working environment, fair conduct

When it comes to materials, the circular economy becomes a guiding principle to conserve resources and avoid waste. The NewMAN strategy (electrification, digitalisation, automation) that has already been announced will provide responsible transport and mobility solutions for the future, while social aspects and good corporate governance will also be key. Vlaskamp, CEO: "We want to offer an attractive working environment, acting fairly and with integrity in our dealings with our business partners and ensuring that we exercise due diligence with regard to human rights throughout the entire value creation chain.

Sustainability Board reports on progress

The MAN sustainability strategy is essentially developed and validated through involvement of stakeholders such as customers and suppliers, as well as representatives of major companies, the scientific community, local authorities, consultancy firms and well-known NGOs. The results of the strategy process, the sustainability roadmap, progress updates and KPIs will be reported in future within the MAN sustainability board, which will meet several times a year, chaired by CEO Vlaskamp.