How EVs will Take JLR to Net Zero by 2039
Carbon net zero by 2039 underpins JLR’s Reimagine strategy, which is reshaping the company across its entire value chain.
The company’s FY24/25 Annual Report and Sustainability Strategic Report reveal advancements in its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
JLR’s Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions saw a rise of 1.5% and 0.3% respectively compared to FY23/24, although there has been a total reduction of 23.4% since the FY19/20 baseline.
Despite this, the report indicates that emissions are still 3% ahead of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) strategy required to align with a 1.5°C pathway.
JLR attributes part of this rise to its strategic focus on on-site renewable energy production, which has increased its market-based Scope 2 emissions following a transition away from purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates.
“Delivering Reimagine is about becoming a more sustainable modern luxury business,” Andrea Debbane, Chief Sustainability Officer at JLR, shared on LinkedIn.
“It means minimising our environmental impact and giving back to communities so they can thrive.
“Our colleagues have also been using their passion, creativity, pioneering mindset and expertise to make a positive impact on the communities in which we operate.”
Environmental performance through EVs
Despite the slight increase in GHG emissions, JLR is focusing on several initiatives to mitigate its environmental footprint.
Energy-saving projects are underway, including optimising paint shop ovens in Slovakia, installing intelligent compressed air systems in China and upgrading lighting at UK facilities.
Investments in on-site renewable energy are noteworthy, with 18 MW of ground-mounted solar panels installed at its Gaydon site and nearly 20,000 photovoltaic panels at Halewood.
The company's decarbonisation strategy significantly impacts its product offerings, as over 75% of net zero in-scope emissions come from vehicles in operation.
To combat this, JLR aims for all its brands to provide a pure-electric option by 2030 and achieve zero tailpipe emissions by 2036.
In the fiscal year FY24/25, the rise in plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles as a percentage of total sales led to a 6.7% decrease in use-phase emissions per kilometre compared to the baseline from FY19/20.
Additionally, the company’s Scope 3 emissions per vehicle dropped to 60.51 tonnes CO₂e, a 2.8% decrease year-on-year and almost 6% lower than the baseline year.
Strengthening circular economy efforts
JLR’s circularity strategy is centred around three core principles:
- Facilitating circular value through collaboration and innovation
- Maximising resource reuse and recycling
- Enhancing product longevity.
The company's Circularity Lab serves as a collaborative centre for cross-disciplinary teams to dismantle and examine vehicles and components, working alongside suppliers and external partners to pinpoint barriers and opportunities for improved recyclability.
In FY24/25, the lab spearheaded efforts to at least double the recycled content in new products.
JLR’s Sustainability Innovation Challenge, part of its Open Innovation Programme, garnered global interest from entrepreneurs and researchers.
The winning project, Genomines, proposed extracting nickel through botanical cultivation, offering a potential alternative to traditional mining.
Runners-up included Circu Li-ion, focused on battery circularity, and Aircela, developing direct air capture e-fuels.
JLR also reduced its waste generated by 5.18% compared to FY23/24, an average reduction in waste of just more than 1kg per vehicle.
Social impact and supply chain responsibility
JLR’s procurement and engineering teams have collaborated with suppliers to increase the use of recycled and low-impact materials, especially within steel and aluminium supply chains.
More than 80% of its high-impact sourcing projects in FY24/25 met their CO₂e targets or had mitigation strategies in place.
Supporting broader decarbonisation initiatives, JLR is involved in HyNet, a UK government-backed project focused on low-carbon hydrogen infrastructure development.
Using hydrogen at sites such as Halewood could further mitigate Scope 1 emissions, bolstering the company’s net zero objectives while contributing to regional economic growth.
JLR also places emphasis on social impact through its Engage for Good framework.
This focuses on supporting youth futures, reducing inequalities and aiding vulnerable communities, reflecting the company’s belief that sustainability is not only about environmental stewardship but also about creating positive social value.
It launched the JLR Foundation, dedicated to empowering children and young people and catalysing social and environmental change.
Adrian Mardell, CEO at JLR, said in the report: “JLR is committed to donating millions to the JLR Foundation, pledging up to £2.5m (US$3.3m) to support its charitable work in the first year, with plans to increase funding annually as the Foundation grows.”
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