Kia to become carbon neutral by 2045 and aid global ocean cleanup initiative

Kia Corporation has set out its vision to become a truly sustainable, responsible, and innovative mobility solutions leader, announcing a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

In order to meet this target, the firm is aiming to go full electric with its vehicle lineup in Europe by 2035. From 2040, Kia's lineup in key markets around the globe will also exclusively consist of fully electric models, realising zero emissions during daily vehicle use.

Kia is also working with its suppliers to reduce carbon emissions from the parts supply stage. The firm plans to create a carbon emissions monitoring system for its partner companies by 2022, and to complement this, will also adopt the use of 'green steel', as the steel industry has traditionally been one of the biggest global carbon emitters.

Kia will also initiate a 'Blue Carbon' project to proactively make a tangible contribution to preserving the environment instead of just reducing emissions to achieve its carbon neutrality target. The project will focus on marine ecosystems which are one of the most efficient absorbers of carbon.

The firm will restore and preserve Korea's coastal wetlands in collaboration with external partners, and will also work with 'The Ocean Cleanup', a non-profit organisation developing and scaling technologies to rid the world's oceans of plastic.

Going forward, Kia will also work with the non-profit to develop a resource circulation system. The firm plans to utilise the plastic waste gathered from the cleanup process and use the materials in vehicle production. Kia is additionally planning to increase the company's percentage of plastic re-use to 20% by 2030.