15th June 2021, the first year anniversary of the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign, Google and Polestar - the Swedish automotive brand established in 1996 by Volvo Cars' partner Flash/Polestar Racing - announce that they have joined the Exponential Roadmap Initiative and the Race to Zero, the largest ever alliance committed to halving emissions before 2030 towards net zero emissions by no later than 2050.
In joining the Race to Zero and the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, Google and Polestar commit to drive halving of emissions before 2030 towards net zero throughout their value chains. Google and Polestar are also joining forces with other innovative, transformative and disruptive businesses that will play a key role in accelerating climate solutions and exponential climate action in the world.
“Climate change is the biggest risk we face as a society. At Google, we see a challenge as an opportunity to solve it - and make things better for everyone. In 2007, we became the first major company to achieve carbon neutrality, and since 2017 we’ve matched 100% of our electricity consumption with renewable energy, enabling us to more than halve our cumulative scope 1 and 2 emissions over the last decade. Now we’ve taken on a new moonshot - by 2030 we aim to be the first major company to operate 24/7 on carbon-free energy. Building a carbon-free future for all won’t be easy, so we look forward to collaborating with other leaders and innovators in the Exponential Roadmap Initiative and the UN Race to Zero”, says Kate Brandt, Google Sustainability Officer.
The Exponential Roadmap Initiative is for innovators, transformers and disruptors taking action in line with 1.5°C, with the mission to halve emissions before 2030 through exponential climate action and solutions. The Exponential Roadmap Initiative is an accredited partner of United Nations’ Race To Zero, TED Countdown and a founding partner of the 1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders and the SME Climate Hub.
Exponential Roadmap is a science-based cross-sector collaboration launched in 2018. It highlights 36 solutions with exponential scaling potential to halve global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The roadmap shows how we can build a stronger, more resilient and future-proof global economy and increase human prosperity and health – within the planetary boundaries.
“We listen to the latest science, which tells us that we are not moving fast enough to stay within the 1.5-degree target. The automotive sector can have a profound effect and we have to step up. The 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,” says Thomas Ingenlath, CEO Polestar.
