Voi’s climate targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative

The targets covering greenhouse gas emissions from Voi’s operations are science-based and consistent with reductions required to limit global warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal laid out by the Paris Agreement.  The latest climate science is clear, this is what is needed to prevent the most damaging effects of climate change. 

Voi is on a mission to provide sustainable, safe and reliable micromobility for all. Working with cities and communities, we deliver an inclusive and sustainable service, helping reduce transport CO2 emissions and accelerate the transition to Net Zero transport. We are proud to announce that our Climate Action Plan is in line with a 1.5°C degree pathway and the targets we have set have been validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). 

Galvanized by the historic Paris Agreement, the transition to a zero-carbon economy is well underway and accelerating globally. Thousands of companies around the world are taking part in this transition by setting emission reduction targets grounded in climate science. 

“We’ve taken a science and evidence-based approach to our environmental responsibility since day one. We are thrilled that our climate targets have been verified as science-based and in line with the Paris Agreement’s most ambitious pathway. We achieved carbon neutrality in January 2020 but we continue to focus on reducing emissions by enhancing circularity, electrification and car replacement,” says Fredrik Hjelm, Voi’s Co-Founder and CEO. 

The initial step was setting a target for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from the company’s operations. The target approved by SBTi implies that Voi will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from operations by 50% in absolute terms by 2030 from a 2018 baseline. To accomplish this Voi is committed to continuing to measure and reduce indirect emissions both upstream and downstream in the value chain, including the supply chain for vehicle production. 

“We measure emissions taking a lifecycle perspective. Conducted independently by EY, our Life Cycle Assessment was the first to be published by an e-scooter operator bringing transparency to the booming sector and setting a roadmap for reducing emissions,” says Sarah Badoux, Head of Sustainability at Voi.  

SBTi is a collaboration between Carbon Disclosure Project, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The gold standard third-party validator has recognised that Voi’s climate targets are consistent with reductions required to keep warming to 1.5°C. By aligning with SBTi, Voi will also become an official participant in the UN’s Race to Zero as well as a member of the We Mean Business Coalition. 

We thank the SBTi team for their important work promoting science-based targets and mobilising the private sector for climate action. Climate change demands cross-sectoral collaboration, Voi encourages all partners and stakeholders to set science-based targets and join the movement. 

A three-step Climate Action Plan

1. Measuring. As a first step, Voi measured all direct and indirect emissions linked to delivering its service.  The Life Cycle Assessment helped identify the main impact levers for reducing energy and resource consumption. 

2. Reducing. “Based on these findings, we developed our Climate Action Plan, a comprehensive roadmap spanning across departments to reduce emissions.” says Sarah Badoux. The main focus areas are: extending the scooter lifespan, electrifying the service for zero-emissions operations and working with the principles of the circular economy by reusing and recycling spare parts and batteries. The Climate Action Plan has helped us identify measures that reduce emissions by 85% for each scooter trip. Our focus now is implementing this plan across all of our cities.

3. Offsetting for Carbon Neutrality.  Since January 2020, Voi’s service has been carbon neutral. We’ve achieved this by offsetting remaining emissions, those we cannot yet avoid, with credible carbon credits linked to renewable energy projects in Asia with the help of our partner EcoAct.

This includes all CO2 emissions linked to delivering our service, from the extraction of raw materials, production of scooters, city operations, repairs and their eventual end of life plan (second life where possible and recycling). 

“We’re proud to have led a movement towards Net Zero micromobility, but this is just the beginning. We are fully committed to helping all of our cities accelerate a transition towards inclusive, safe and Net Zero transport, doing our part to fight climate change and ensure we meet the historic targets set out in the Paris Agreement,” states Fredrik Hjelm.