Reducing CO2 emissions from company activities by 30%, cutting energy requirements by 20% (by 2025, compared to 2019), and obtaining the NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) certification: with these goals in mind, Volkswagen Group Italia has started the renovation project of its Verona headquarters.
The works will bring enormous benefits: the energy efficiency of the building will considerably improve, and it will be upgraded from class C to A4. Thanks to this, energy requirements will be drastically reduced: from 228.44 to 40.00 kWh/m2 per year, which will correspond to a cut in CO2 emissions of 702 t/year (30% less than today). With this major renovation, the Volkswagen Group Italia headquarters will meet the requirements to receive the NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) certification. In addition, the Company will identify climate protection projects to support in order to offset unavoidable emissions, in line with its environmental policy.
Marcus Osegowitsch, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Italia: "These works, which have such a profound impact on our headquarters and corporate life, demonstrate once again Volkswagen Group Italia's sheer determination to achieve the environmental objectives defined in the goTOzero mission. A commitment that in parallel also translates into other projects, such as the progressive decarbonisation of the company fleet, the already completely green energy supply, i.e. 100% from certified renewable sources, the systematic introduction of initiatives to reduce waste and waste generation, and the digitalisation of processes. The fight against climate change, the efficient use of resources, the improvement of local air quality and environmental compliance - the four specific focuses of our mission - are and will be objectives pursued with the same tenacity with which business targets are addressed".
The renovation, which started at the beginning of November, is going to last about two years and will revolutionise the current aspect of the building, both inside and on the façade, which will be completely renewed with the installation of glass panels with specific insulating and screening properties. The works will not only reduce the building's environmental footprint, but also improve its safety standards and modernise its systems and services, using more efficient equipment with lower energy consumption.
Last but not least, the interiors will be completely redesigned with a smart office approach, with large open spaces and ergonomic furnishings alongside coworking and relaxation areas. "A mix of options designed to increase the quality of corporate life," says Raffaella Ponticelli, Human Resources Director, "which will increase collaboration among teams, strengthen synergies and facilitate both sharing and concentration. Moreover, following also the consolidated use of smart working, we will abandon the custom of fixed workstations, shifting instead to the smart desk concept". Specifically, the number of available desks will be 15% lower than the total number of employees with office tasks; the workstations will no longer be permanently assigned, but occupied indiscriminately on the days of work from the office, with reservations made via app. This new approach will allow the company to take a further step forward in terms of flexibility and efficiency.