BMW Sets New 2035 Climate Target, At Least 60M Tons CO2e Savings Compared to 2019

The BMW Group has defined a new 2035 milestone for cutting CO2e emissions on the road to net zero. The company aims to reduce its CO2e emissions by at least 60 million metric tons compared to 2019 levels, representing an additional reduction of approximately 20 million tons of CO2e beyond the existing 2030 target. The company released this news on December 2, 2025.

In doing so, the BMW Group is pursuing a comprehensive decarbonization strategy along the entire life cycle, with the goal of achieving net zero by 2050 at the latest. This represents a firm commitment to the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. To date, the target has been to cut at least 40 million metric tons of CO2e across the entire life cycle, covering scopes 1, 2, and 3, by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The new 2035 milestone is a logical next step on this road toward advancing decarbonization. At the same time, the climate impact of the BMW Group’s business model will be drastically reduced. By 2035, each euro generated will result in less than half as much CO2e emitted compared to 2019.

Key measures for achieving these results include the increasing use of renewable energies in production and the supply chain, greater utilization of secondary raw materials, efficiency improvements during the use phase, as well as product and process innovations. These initiatives are being implemented across all drive variants as part of the BMW Group’s technology-neutral approach. In addition, an increasing proportion of the vehicle fleet will continue to be electrified.

Decarbonization Along the Entire Life Cycle

The BMW Group has intentionally set the additional 2035 milestone to consistently advance its decarbonization strategy. Global customer demand for electric vehicles alone will not be sufficient to achieve the CO2e targets set for 2030 and 2035. The comprehensive approach to reducing CO2e emissions therefore spans the entire vehicle life cycle, regardless of the drive variant.

In the supply chain, which is becoming increasingly relevant in terms of CO2e emissions, particularly for electric models, the company is focusing on expanding the use of secondary raw materials and renewable energies. Specific priorities include components with high CO2e intensity such as high-voltage batteries, aluminum, and steel. In addition, the company is implementing product and process innovations, including developments within the BMW Group’s sixth generation of battery technology.

The BMW Group also applies high standards in production. Since 2020, all electricity sourced from external suppliers for all plants worldwide has come exclusively from renewable sources. The company continues to work on replacing fossil fuels. The new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, is the BMW Group’s first car factory to produce vehicles without the use of fossil fuels such as oil and gas in standard operation.

To reduce CO2e emissions during the use phase, the BMW Group is implementing additional efficiency measures such as BMW EfficientDynamics, alongside the electrification of its vehicle fleet. As a result, efficiency potential across all vehicle subsystems, including the drive system, tires, and aerodynamics, is consistently identified and implemented, independent of drive technology. The new BMW iX3, for example, uses up to 20 percent less energy under WLTP combined conditions than its predecessor.

Reaching the new milestone will also depend on a range of external factors, including the transformation of the steel industry toward lower CO2e steel, the expansion of charging infrastructure, progress in the circular economy, and advances in battery cell technologies. For this reason, the BMW Group continues to pursue several strategic initiatives, including the ongoing expansion of in-house expertise through state-of-the-art battery cell centers of excellence and innovative circular economy projects.

How 24 U.S. States Are Advancing the Paris Agreement Despite Federal Failures

The Paris Agreement is a landmark international climate accord adopted in 2015 by nearly every nation, with the shared objective of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to cap warming at 1.5 degrees. The agreement establishes a framework for countries to set and regularly strengthen national climate targets, known as nationally determined contributions, while increasing transparency, accountability, and cooperation over time.

In the wake of the U.S. federal government’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in 2025, a powerful coalition of states, cities, businesses, and institutions stepped forward to maintain momentum on climate action. Today, 24 U.S. states remain formally committed to the goals of the Paris Agreement, demonstrating how subnational leadership can play a decisive role in global climate progress.

At the center of this effort is the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors representing states such as California, New York, Washington, and Colorado. Together, Alliance states account for a significant share of the U.S. population and economic output. Their collective mission is straightforward but ambitious: advance state-led climate policies that align with the emissions reduction targets set by the Paris Agreement.

State action has been reinforced by strong city-level leadership. Through Climate Mayors, officially known as the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda, hundreds of mayors from major cities including New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago have pledged to uphold Paris objectives. These cities are often on the front lines of climate impacts, making municipal leadership a critical complement to state policy.

Beyond government, the movement has broadened through America Is All In, a nationwide coalition that brings together states, cities, businesses, tribal nations, and institutions. Major companies such as IKEA and Michelin have joined this effort, recognizing that climate action is both an environmental and economic imperative. In parallel, more than 550 state legislators across the country have publicly supported the Paris Agreement, underscoring the depth of political backing at the subnational level.

These coalitions formed largely as a direct response to federal disengagement, with states and local leaders stepping in to help fulfill what they viewed as a national responsibility. Their work focuses on setting ambitious emissions reduction targets, often aiming for cuts of 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025, expanding clean energy deployment, accelerating vehicle electrification, and reducing air pollution.

Together, these efforts signal a clear message to the global community. Even amid shifting federal policies, a substantial portion of the United States remains committed to the Paris Agreement and to long-term climate action. Through coordinated, state-led, and city-driven initiatives, these coalitions are helping keep the U.S. aligned with global climate goals while demonstrating the growing power of subnational leadership.

EVs and Renewable Energy Support a Healthier Global Climate

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy is reshaping the United States’ role in addressing climate change. Together, these two forces are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and strengthening the foundation for a more resilient global climate system. While policy approaches may vary across states and administrations, the underlying momentum behind electrification and clean energy continues to accelerate.

Electric vehicles play a central role in cutting emissions from the transportation sector, which remains the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions and, over their full life cycle, generate significantly lower carbon emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles, especially as the electricity grid becomes cleaner. As more renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are added to the grid, the climate benefits of EVs continue to grow year after year.

Renewable energy expansion is equally transformative. Wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal power are rapidly displacing fossil fuel generation across much of the country. These resources not only reduce carbon dioxide emissions but also improve public health by lowering particulate pollution and other harmful byproducts of combustion. In many regions, renewable energy is now among the lowest-cost sources of new electricity generation, reinforcing the economic case for clean power alongside the environmental one.

Renewable energy is booming in the U.S. in 2025 according to the Deloitte Research Center for Energy & Industrials, dominating new capacity additions (about 90%+), mainly led by solar (adding ~33 GW) and storage, despite policy challenges like the cut of some tax credits. Growth is strong, with solar potentially hitting 18 GW in the first half of 2025 alone, though some segments (such as community solar) saw dips while commercial solar soared. Overall, renewables are expected to expand around 10% for the year, driven by solar energy’s roughly 26% growth, making it the top new source, offsetting fossil fuel shifts.

The combination of EV adoption and renewable electricity creates a powerful feedback loop. Cleaner power makes electric transportation more sustainable, while widespread EV charging increases demand for renewable energy and grid modernization. This integration supports energy independence, reduces exposure to volatile fuel prices, and encourages investment in advanced technologies such as battery storage and smart charging systems.

Beyond domestic benefits, U.S. progress in EVs and renewable energy has global implications. As one of the world’s largest economies and energy consumers, U.S. emissions reductions contribute meaningfully to global climate goals. Equally important, American innovation, manufacturing, and deployment of clean technologies help drive down costs worldwide, enabling faster adoption in other countries, while strengthening American national security.

Together, electric vehicles and renewable energy are helping the United States move toward a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future. By reducing emissions, improving air quality, and supporting global climate objectives, these technologies demonstrate how economic growth and climate responsibility can advance hand in hand. For a healthy planet that future generations can continue to enjoy like we have, it is absolutely vital that all people support the Paris Agreement, EVs and renewable energy. Support these vital technologies at the ballot box and with your pocketbooks. EVs and renewable energy don’t only support climate goals. They offer greater long-term savings as well.