May 10, 2024 – Mercedes-Benz AG is a founding member of "Transform to Net Zero", a climate protection initiative of leading international companies launched by Microsoft.
What is the climate protection initiative "Transform to Net Zero" (TONZ) about?
Accelerating the transition to a climate-neutral economy is important. Decarbonization must be accelerated to limit the increase in the global average temperature to no more than 2 degrees Celsius. You can't do it alone. And this is where "Transform to Net Zero" begins: In order to promote the conditions for a comprehensive decarbonization of the economy and society, Microsoft bundles competencies from renowned companies from various industries and countries of origin.
In September 2022, for example, the initiative presented eleven key elements of a model Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP), including real-world approaches. As part of this, Mercedes-Benz and other members report in various guidelines on the challenges that had to be overcome during implementation. Other companies and organizations can benefit from this: They learn about different approaches and how they can be combined with each other.
All information on the Mercedes-Benz Climate Transition Action Plan.
Why did Mercedes-Benz AG join the TONZ initiative?
The transformation is a marathon and the company is only at the beginning of it. It separates itself from traditional processes, questions what it has learned and acts globally. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz keeps an eye on its customers and their individual needs. With its “Ambition 2039”, the company is consistently pursuing the goal of net carbon-neutrality along the entire value chain in the new vehicle fleet from 2039 onwards. Since 2022, Mercedes-Benz's own vehicle production sites have been net carbon-neutral. One example is Factory 56 in Sindelfingen, where the new S-Class and the all-electric EQS are produced. These are topics that contribute directly to the goals of "Transform to Net Zero". At the same time, in addition to the decarbonization initiative, it is hoped that it will also contribute to the stages of the value chain over which the company itself has no direct influence.
How does the commitment to climate protection fit in with Mercedes-Benz' strategic focus on high-margin luxury cars?
Since climate protection is a high priority for most of today's customers of luxury brands, the initiative fits well into Mercedes-Benz's strategy. Anyone who spends a lot of money on a car does not want to be seen as a climate sinner, but rather as a pioneer in solutions that combine fascination and responsibility. It is no coincidence that the company's strategy aims to become a technological leader in electric drives and digitalization.
