Bosch Announces Plan to Reduce Carbon Footprint to Zero by 2020

Bosch Group, which had a successful year, achieved sales revenues of EUR 78.5 billion in 2018. The company also increased its research and development spending, which reached 9.3% of sales revenues, or EUR 7.3 billion. Despite forecasting that global economy will grow only at a rate of 2.3% in the new fiscal year, Bosch expects 2019 sales to slightly exceed 2018 levels. At the annual press conference, Bosch Management Board Chairman Dr. Volkmar Denner made important statements. Drawing attention to the fact that climate change is not science fiction but a reality occurring on the ground, Denner said "If we take the Paris Agreement seriously, then climate action must not be viewed only as a long-term goal, but must be realised here and now. Bosch takes very seriously people's demand for better air quality in cities. As an innovation leader, we want to bring technological solutions to ecological problems" he said.

Bosch aims to be first zero-carbon operation from 2020 onwards

Industry is responsible for approximately one-third of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as can be seen from reports by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The company, which has made intensive efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, is raising the bar even higher. Claiming that in a period as short as one year they will become the first major industrial operation to achieve the ambitious 'zero carbon' target, Dr. Denner said, "From 2020 onwards, Bosch will have a net zero carbon footprint. All 400 Bosch locations around the world will have 'zero carbon' status from 2020 onwards" he stated. To achieve this ambitious goal, the company plans to increase energy efficiency, raise the proportion of renewable energies in its energy sources, use more green energy and offset unavoidable carbon emissions. Through these measures, 3.3 million tons of CO2 emissions will be prevented as of 2020.

Better air quality

Approximately 90% of the world's population breathing poor air is a situation understood from World Health Organization (WHO) reports, and Bosch is willing to correct this situation. Dr. Volkmar Denner stated that they want to reduce traffic-related air pollution to almost zero. To this end, Bosch has set three objectives. The first is the development of power transmission technology that produces lower polluting substances. Second, Bosch working with municipalities on projects aimed at maintaining steady traffic flow. Third, implementing the company's mobility management system at its own locations.

Optimisation of internal combustion engines through use of artificial intelligence

The company forecasts that approximately 75% of all new vehicles and light commercial vehicles will still have an internal combustion engine in 2030. Although electric vehicles are on an upward trend, it is forecast that approximately 75% of all new vehicles and light commercial vehicles will still have an internal combustion engine in 2030. In this context, Bosch continues to make significant investments in optimising petrol and diesel engines. To further develop internal combustion engines, Bosch also uses artificial intelligence. For example, the use of artificial intelligence to predictively control exhaust gas treatment based on models derived from individuals' driving behaviour helps further reduce vehicle emissions.

20% lower nitrogen oxide emissions can be achieved with mobile analyser units

Through discussions it is already conducting with approximately 100 municipalities in Europe, Bosch is taking specific steps to improve air quality. For example, a mobile analyser unit is being tested in Stuttgart, Paris and Marseille. With these units, the level of pollutants in ambient air can be continuously measured. Information obtained from these measurements combined with simulations enables a clearer understanding of the relationship between vehicle emissions and environmental pollution. This information can be used to optimise traffic management.

Company mobility management

Company mobility management aims to reduce traffic and thus reduce emissions for which Bosch employees are responsible, particularly in urbanised areas. In this context, a range of different measures are being taken in major cities in Brazil, China and Turkey, ranging from shuttle services to working from home options, to renting bicycles and electric bicycles.

14 million vehicles in electromobility by end of 2022

Foreseeing that electric vehicles will also play an important role in improving air quality in cities, Bosch aims to be the market leader in the growing electromobility mass market. The company aims to increase its market share in electromobility tenfold by 2025 compared to 2018, reaching EUR 5 billion. Bosch Management Board Chairman Dr. Volkmar Denner said, "We see good opportunities ahead in the increasing competition in terms of value creation in the field of power transmission technology. Our systems engineering expertise, broad product portfolio and economies of scale in production make us the preferred business partner for vehicle manufacturers and mobility providers worldwide" he said. Bosch power transmission components, which are already found in more than one million automobiles worldwide, are aimed to reach 14 million units by the end of 2022.

Autonomous driving with lower consumption and emissions

Emphasising that autonomous driving is not only a promising area but is already providing a growth area, Bosch Management Board Chairman Dr. Denner said "By 2022, we plan to have invested approximately EUR 4 billion in automation and consequently sustainable mobility" he stated. The number of Bosch engineers working in the autonomous driving field has doubled compared to two years ago and today exceeds 5,000.