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CATL Achieves Carbon Neutrality and Sets Ambitious Future Goals

On August 17, 2026, CATL announced a significant milestone in its sustainability journey by achieving its carbon neutrality goal for core operations by 2025, a commitment that involved certifying all 20 of its battery manufacturing plants for carbon neutrality. This accomplishment marks CATL’s transition from being a responsible corporate participant in climate action to becoming a key player in the growth of a decarbonized economy.

Roadmap Toward 2035

As part of this announcement, CATL laid out a comprehensive pathway to reach carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2035. The company emphasized that the journey towards decarbonization must be a collaborative effort, requiring participation from key partners and suppliers who are expected to adhere to strict guidelines regarding their carbon footprints starting in 2027.

Robin Zeng, the Chairman and CEO of CATL, highlighted the importance of leading by example. “Before contributing to global carbon regulations, CATL must demonstrate what is achievable through our own industrial practices. Zero carbon batteries will soon be a necessity rather than an option,” he stated. Zeng affirmed CATL's readiness to share its technologies and expertise to help set global standards in carbon reduction efforts.

Significant Achievements

Since launching its first battery factory in 2012, CATL has continuously refined its practices to ensure zero-carbon objectives are embedded within its operational strategies. According to Jiang Li, Vice President and Head of the Corporate Sustainable Development Management Committee, the approach to carbon neutrality involves using reliable data and defined limits, necessitating a systematic implementation plan that started with the establishment of the CATL Carbon Chain Management System (CCMS) in 2022.

The CCMS monitors and calculates carbon emissions across all manufacturing facilities and supply chains. This sophisticated system has amassed data on battery production emissions and has accounted for more than 1,000 product models and raw materials. Thanks to these data-driven efforts, CATL has decreased energy consumption per unit of product by 28% compared to 2022 and has witnessed a staggering 77% reduction in carbon emissions intensity. By the end of 2025, 100% of the electricity used in CATL's core operations will be from zero-carbon sources, contributing to a cumulative reduction of over 10 million tons of CO₂ equivalencies since 2023.

Future Focus Areas

More than 80% of the carbon emissions identified throughout the lifecycle of CATL products originate from its supply chain. In acknowledgment of this fact, CATL's procurement team is evolving its strategies to drive decarbonization in materials innovation, sustainable logistics, and battery recycling.

Bryan Huang, Head of the Procurement Center, noted, “To effectively advance decarbonization, cooperation is essential at all levels of the battery supply chain,” signifying CATL’s intention to establish benchmarks for over 100 key suppliers within a comprehensive data monitoring framework.

Green Procurement Guidelines

To foster supplier accountability, CATL will launch Green Procurement Guidelines that require partners to provide carbon footprint data alongside a commitment to using renewable energy. Suppliers who demonstrate superior carbon reduction performance will be prioritized in contract awards and engagements. Additionally, CATL plans to implement the Zero-Carbon Supply Chain Empowerment initiative, collaborating closely with 30 key suppliers to accelerate joint decarbonization efforts.

A Sustainable Outlook

The roadmap set out by CATL is driven by growth opportunities in the zero-carbon economy. Emphasizing collaboration with international partners, CATL aims to contribute significantly to the advancement of clean energy transitions. The company envisions a future that is not only sustainable but also marks a transformative shift in how battery technologies and materials are sourced and managed.

Through continued commitment and innovation, CATL is positioning itself as a leader in both carbon neutrality and the subsequent growth of a sustainable economy, signifying a critical shift in the industry landscape.