Tesla's Giga Berlin awarded European Environmental Accreditation, marking milestone for sustainable automobile manufacturing.

Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin Earns EMAS Certification, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainability

Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin, the automaker's only European vehicle plant, has recently received the European Union's Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) certification. This recognition highlights Tesla's growing commitment to sustainability in Europe.

The factory, which opened in 2022, plays a crucial role in meeting the region's electric vehicle (EV) demand. With an annual output of around 250,000 units, the factory employs approximately 12,000 people and produces around 5,000 vehicles each week.

Brandenburg's Environment Minister, Hanka Mittelstädt, has emphasized that the EMAS certification builds public trust. The Brandenburg state government has praised Tesla for its achievement, describing the factory as a model for combining climate goals with industrial development.

To maintain its environmental responsibility, Tesla aims to recycle 90% of process wastewater in the current year. The factory has also demonstrated significant water conservation efforts, using about 456,953 cubic meters of water in 2024, which is significantly below the industry average of 3.5 cubic meters per vehicle.

Tesla's plant manager, André Thierig, stated that the company will keep expanding its use of photovoltaics and continue its reforestation efforts. More than two million trees have already been replanted as part of local compensation measures, with plans for continued reforestation.

The EMAS certification is a prestigious, stringent, voluntary EU standard that demands high environmental performance, ongoing improvement, and transparency beyond international standards. Currently, besides Tesla, there are 46 organizations in Brandenburg that have the EMAS certification.

Tesla's latest environmental report shows notable progress in resource efficiency. The factory consumed approximately 419,503 megawatt hours of energy in 2024, with electricity being the majority. Despite this, Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin reported greenhouse gas emissions of around 39,667 tonnes of CO2.

The EMAS certification for Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin was presented on September 1. This certification positions the factory as a leader in balancing industrial growth with environmental responsibility. Besides producing the 500,000th vehicle, the factory also started production of the new Model Y Performance and produced the 100,000th refresh Model Y.

With this certification, Tesla continues to set an example for sustainable industrial development in Europe. The company's commitment to reducing its environmental impact and promoting reforestation efforts is commendable and serves as a model for other industries to follow.

Tesla's Giga Berlin awarded European Environmental Accreditation, marking milestone for sustainable automobile manufacturing.