Environment

Carbon footprint and sustainable mobility (E)

The SBTi has validated our climate ambitions, and we make targeted efforts to reduce the combined climate impact of our activities.

The validation of our climate ambitions means that we have made a commitment to reduce by 2030 the carbon emissions from our own sources (scopes 1 and 2) by 42% and from the use phase of vehicles sold by us (scope 3) by 25%, both as compared with 2021.

Already in 2018, our most important partner, Volkswagen AG, pledged to adhere to the principles of the Science Based Targets initiative and presented its ambition to reduce emissions from the entire value chain significantly by 2030 and to reach net carbon neutrality by 2050.

Read more: John Deere

As far as we are concerned, the main sources of carbon emission are the use of fossil fuels for our own vehicle fleets as well as electricity and heating for our own buildings. Therefore, we have taken a number of steps towards achieving our ambitions.

Solar panels and renewable energy supply

Electricity is absolutely essential in the transition away from fossil fuels. As we expect to see a significant increase in electricity consumption, we are busy installing solar panels at a number of our locations. It is our expectation that these solar panels will produce up to approx. 15% of our annual power consumption in Denmark.

In November 2023, Semler Gruppen concluded a PPA agreement with Better Energy, through which we contribute directly to the installation of renewables in the form of a solar power plant at Fraugde near Odense. Grid-connection of the plant is expected at the end of 2024, and the plant will supply power covering approx. 60% of the consumption at Semler Gruppen’s Jutland and Funen retail locations.

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Property management

On an ongoing basis, Semler Gruppen invests in energy-saving measures in the group’s property portfolio. In 2023, smart meters were installed in all properties for the purpose of optimising the use of electricity, heating and water.

Vehicle fleets and charging

As a natural part of our business operations, Semler Gruppen manages several fleets, including company cars for employees, demonstration and rental cars, various specialist vehicles, etc.

We have designed our company car policy so that the majority of employees drive electric and low-emission vehicles. The demonstration car fleet reflects the newest models, but is also up to date with customer demands and thus includes an increasing share of electric cars.

GoToZero Retail

Our most important supplier, Volkswagen AG, makes massive investments in projects and measures to minimise the environmental impact from the entire value chain. At Semler Gruppen, we take active part in the goTOzero RETAIL project, which addresses carbon emissions from our dealership and service partner network.

End-of-life vehicles and reuse

Semler Gruppen and our authorised network of dealerships and service partners of the brands that we represent collaborate with Stena Recycling, a business which scraps and reuses end-of-life vehicles in a correct and environmentally safe manner. Modern processes ensure in that connection that as much as 95% of a scrapped car can be reused.

Drones

Holo A/S, which is part of our Semler Mobility Solutions business unit, has completed two tests, which provide a preview of the mobility solutions of the future:

HealthDrone: This project has provided insight into the possibilities of transporting blood samples, medication and medical equipment between the islands of Ærø and Funen. Read more: Hjem - Sundhedsdroner
CargoDrone: In collaboration with Ørsted and DSV, Holo A/S has tested the possibility of providing direct delivery of critical spare parts for offshore wind turbines at the island of Anholt.

As concerns both projects, the logistics are handled much faster, cost-efficiently and potentially with a lower environmental impact than conventional road and sea transport by car and ferry.