Volvo's environmental efforts are based on a life cycle approach that takes into account the environmental impact of the products from design to scrapping and recycling. Since more than 90% of the total environmental impact of a bus arises when it is in use, the emphasis of environmental work is on reducing fuel consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and other air pollutants that may be harmful to human beings and the environment.
Continuous work is underway at Volvo's production plants in order to reduce the consumption of energy and water, and emissions of various pollutants such as solvents, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide.