CO2 emissions

In the course of the next few years, we will invest up to DKK 400 million in energy-improving initiatives that will reduce the Group’s 2007 global CO₂ emissions by 20% by 2012 and 50% by 2020.

CO₂ emissions from the VELUX Group’s production facilities (27 factories) in 2010 rose to 109,700 tons, an increase of 13% compared to 2009.

The rise in CO₂ emissions is mainly due to the long, hard winter that necessitated a greater demand for heating, especially in the drying halls where timber is stored to dry out before being processed to make window frames and sashes.

In addition, the investments made to reduce CO₂ emissions did not show their full effect in 2010 as implementation was made in the course of the year. This has led to us saving only about 2,000 tons of an expected saving of 7,600 tons but, if things go according to plan, this saving will be seen in next year’s CO₂ accounts.

Finally, the rise in CO₂ emissions was caused by an increase in production; and since our measures to reduce CO₂ emissions did not show their full effect in 2010, they were unable to compensate for the increased production and a hard winter.

CO₂ emissions, previous years
From 2003 to 2007, the VELUX CO₂ accounts show a rise from just over 74,000 to 100,000 tons of CO₂ per annum. The main ‘CO₂ contributor’ is electricity at the factories, which is causing the increase in our emissions. The increase in electricity consumption is attributable to growing sales of VELUX products, but also to the fact that the glass hardening process has been gradually taken over by the VELUX factories from the sub-suppliers.

Wood-drying is another process which has been gradually taken over from sub-suppliers and which has also attributed to the increase in CO₂ emissions. In 2008 we achieved a minor drop in CO₂ emissions to 96,500 tons due to decreased electricity consumption. This decrease resulted from a decline in production caused by reduced activity in the building sector.

CO₂ emission at 96,300 tons in 2009 is at the same level as in 2008. This is due to the fact that 2009 has been used for identifying and planning 2010 investments for 30 million DKK. Also, this year’s cold winter has increased the need for heating.