Volvo Cars announced the appointment of Vanessa Butani as Head of Global Sustainability. Butani will assume the new role in April 2024, succeeding Anders Kärrberg, who has held the position since Volvo established its Global Sustainability Team in 2019.

Based at the Volvo Cars’ global headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, Butani will lead the company’s sustainability ambitions and the evolution of its sustainability strategy, playing a key role in its transition into a leading sustainable mobility provider, according to the company.

The appointment follows Volvo Cars’ recent announcement of a new goal to reduce CO2 emissions per car by 75% by 2030, compared to a 2018 baseline, and that it has joined the First Movers Coalition to use its purchasing power towards clean technologies to help support the shift to near-zero emission aluminum. The company has also set goals to achieve climate neutrality by 2040, reduce CO2 emissions per car by 40% between 2018 and 2025, and to sell only fully electric cars across its global portfolio by 2030.

Jim Rowan, Volvo Cars CEO said:

“We’re excited to have Vanessa joining our company. Her leadership and experience in this field will play a critical role in the continued execution of our ambitious sustainability strategy across our entire organisation, and ensuring that we maintain a leading voice in sustainable mobility. I’d also like to thank Anders for his great contribution to Volvo Cars’ success and wish him well in his retirement.” 

Butani joins Volvo Cars from global appliance company Electrolux, where she has been serving as VP Group Sustainability, after being appointed in 2021 as Head of Sustainability for Europe. Prior to joining Electrolux, Butani served as Director of Sustainable Business at Scandic Hotel Group.

Butani said:

“I have been watching Volvo Cars’ approach to sustainability with admiration. Now I have a fantastic opportunity to join the team and drive the company towards its sustainability ambitions, integrating sustainability as a competitive edge in every aspect of the value chain.”