PRESS INFORMATION
Construction Climate Challenge: Q&A
Background:
Volvo Construction Equipment is hosting a new initiative working with partners
to drive sustainability in the construction industry value chain. The Construction
Climate Challenge (CCC) aims to create a dialogue with industry representatives,
academics and politicians, as well as providing funding for new research and
sharing existing knowledge and resources to help the industry make a difference
for generations to come.
General questions
Is this a global initiative?
Yes – climate change is a global phenomenon and addressing the challenge it poses
requires the efforts of companies working on a similarly global basis.
What is the mission of CCC?
To create a joint effort in the construction industry to meet the challenge of achieving
stable climate conditions for future generations.
What is the objective of CCC?
The CCC is a platform for climate change improvement initiatives with the aim to move
the industry towards sustainable solutions. This will be achieved via academic research,
knowledge sharing and awareness and engagement.
What role does research play in the CCC?
Research is at the heart of the Construction Climate Challenge. Through supporting and
initiating research projects in areas with relevance to our industry, the initiative acts as a
bridge between the construction industry and sustainability research. It promotes
collaboration between researchers, companies and organizations and publishes research
papers and documentation of the projects.
Why launch the CCC now?
Volvo CE – and the whole Volvo Group – has a long history of being at the forefront of
environmental improvements in its operations but Volvo recognizes that the best way to
counter the effects of climate change is to act in concert with other industry
stakeholders.
www.volvo.com
Volvo Construction Equipment S.A.
Avenue du Hunderenveld 10
BE-1082 Brussels
Belgium
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+32 2 482 51 11
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BE 0436.180.690
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Is this ‘just’ for the construction equipment industry?
No, CCC embraces the entire value chain of the wider construction industry – from a life
cycle perspective. As well as improving our own practices within Volvo CE, the CCC
also invites partners throughout the supply chain to participate – suppliers, dealers and
customers. Other stakeholders include NGOs, such as the WWF, academia, politicians
and the wider society.
Why should Volvo CE ‘host’ the CCC?
Possibly more than any other manufacturer in the industry Volvo has built its reputation
on the foundation of environmental care and sustainable development. “As a
construction equipment manufacturer we recognize that we can only do so much by
focusing on the areas where we have direct impact. Approximately 90% of the climate
impact comes from the use of our equipment, and our machines are used in nearly all
steps of the construction industry lifecycle.” (Martin Weissburg, CEO, Volvo CE.)
How does CCC relate to the company’s membership of the WWF Climate Savers
program?
The CCC is the perfect complement to Volvo CE’s work with the WWF Climate Savers
program and its commitment to be a climate leader in the construction equipment
industry. Whereas the latter focuses on dramatically bringing down CO2 levels in the
short term, the CCC is designed to foster a long-term and widespread culture of
sustainability.
Who is the target audience?
As well as looking at our own practices internally (both in manufacturing and the
operation of the equipment we produce), the CCC also invites all those in the supply
chain to participate – suppliers, dealers and customers. Other stakeholders include trade
associations and NGOs (the WWF for example), academia, politicians and the wider
society. So whether you are extracting the raw materials at the start of the value chain or
recycling materials at the end – and everything in-between – there is an important
contribution to be made by all stakeholders in the industry.
How big a contributor is construction to climate change?
Because it touches so many areas of life it’s difficult to put a definitive figure on the
impact. But figures published in 2012 showed that the construction industry contributed
20% of global CO2 output. If you just look at the construction equipment industry in
Europe that equates to 85 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
In practical terms, what will the CCC actually ‘do’?
www.volvo.com
Volvo Construction Equipment S.A.
Avenue du Hunderenveld 10
BE-1082 Brussels
Belgium
Telephone
switchboard
+32 2 482 51 11
Telefax
see above
RPM
Bruxelles
VAT
BE 0436.180.690
ING
310-0813608-58
The CCC initiative will drive for improvements in the industry’s value chain, raising
standards among suppliers and by being a beacon for general improvements in the
industry. In practical terms it will create a structured forum that invites dialogue and
knowledge-sharing between protagonists who wouldn’t ordinarily meet. It will also host
sustainability-focused events and promote and sponsor research.
How long until we see a difference?
While research projects can take many years to conduct and peer review, there are
shorter term initiatives that will result in more immediate improvements. Pilot projects
will be launched with selected academic partners during 2014.
What is the CCC’s timeframe?
The CCC will work on a three year timeframe, identifying focus areas, evaluating results
and improvements – and establishing focus areas for the next three year cycle.
How will the CCC be promoted?
In order to ‘walk the talk’ CCC events will minimise environmental impact by
partnering with Volvo CE and CCC partner events. The Volvo Ocean Race is a good
example of an event that embodies the values and goals of the CCC, and presents an
opportunity to spread the CCC’s central messages of sustainable work practices. CCC
events will be held at many of the stopovers the race makes around the world, and the
climax of the initiative’s launch year will be the CCC Summit in Gothenburg at the
conclusion of the Volvo Ocean Race in June 2015.
How can I find out more?
Visit www.constructionclimatechallenge.com
Facebook: /ConstructionClimateChallenge
Twitter: /HostedbyVolvoCE
www.volvo.com
Volvo Construction Equipment S.A.
Avenue du Hunderenveld 10
BE-1082 Brussels
Belgium
Telephone
switchboard
+32 2 482 51 11
Telefax
see above
RPM
Bruxelles
VAT
BE 0436.180.690
ING
310-0813608-58