Audi’s transition to e-mobility is well underway and many of the brand’s ongoing efforts in reducing emissions and environmental impacts are considered part and parcel of everyday operating life.
But as a brand, Audi is more than aware that producing all-electric vehicles is just one part of a much bigger whole that must be addressed to create real and positive change. From the way materials are sourced, to the energy and water used in its production facilities. From the people to the very design of products to ensure that at the end of their life they too can be recycled and reintroduced into a circular economy that has minimal impact on the environment – it is indeed a very big picture that is made up of numerous interlocking parts of equal importance.

The company’s pursuit of its Mission:Zero target is well known and the brand has been actively engaged in numerous projects all over the world that promote cleaner, more sustainable and ethical outcomes for years.

The Audi Environmental Foundation has been actively involved in projects as diverse as cleaning river systems around the world to providing affordable, sustainable lighting solutions for underprivileged communities in often remotes regions, and of course the Audi brand is well known for its pursuit of circular economies within its manufacturing activities to reduce, reuse and recycle primary materials wherever possible to help conserve resources yet without compromising on quality. Everything from automotive plastics to glass, both notoriously difficult to recycle and reuse, are being studied to create systems that are scalable to see them become part of ongoing production. Old EV batteries past their main use are being employed to drive robots and charging stations, while recycled plastics from PET bottles and old fishing nets are being reused as high-end materials for upholstery and other finishes in Audi vehicles.

In fact the brand’s activities in the fields covered by the the term Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) are so extensive, most are unaware of the lengths Audi is going to to improve the way the company operates right across the board – some obvious, while others less so.

In a specially produced video series, polar explorer and photographer, Sebastian Copeland goes behind the scenes to learn of the many ways in which Audi is ‘walking the walk’ – undertaking real change from relentlessly pursuing zero emissions from its production facilities, promoting biodiversity at its sites, developing ground-breaking recycling initiatives to human rights and ethical sourcing of materials.

Copeland’s extensive travels in the Arctic and Antarctic regions has allowed him to see first hand the significant changes to these delicate environments brought about by climate change. In The Bigger Picture series he asks the question ‘can a car maker be sustainable’ and looks at how Audi has embraced this drive to ‘find better ways of operating' and made it a guiding principle and corporate priority.

Join Seb Copeland for Part 1  – Mission:Zero as he takes a deep dive into Audi’s many faceted approach to a better, sustainable future.

Also in the series:

The Bigger Picture - Part 2