Tesla's Berlin Gigafactory secures esteemed European eco-friendly accreditation

Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin Achieves EMAS Certification, Emphasizing Environmental Responsibility

Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin, the automaker's only European vehicle plant, has received the European Union's Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) certification. This recognition positions the factory as a leader in balancing industrial growth with environmental responsibility.

The EMAS certification is a stringent, voluntary EU standard that demands high environmental performance, ongoing improvement, and transparency beyond international standards. The factory's achievement was praised by the Brandenburg state government, which described it as a model for combining climate goals with industrial development.

According to the latest environmental report, Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin consumed 419,503 megawatt hours of energy in 2024, with electricity making up the majority. The factory produced around 5,000 vehicles each week, with an annual output of 250,000 units. Despite this significant production, the factory used about 456,953 cubic meters of water in 2024, with a water usage rate of 2.16 cubic meters per vehicle produced, below the industry average.

Tesla aims to recycle 90% of process wastewater in the current year, and the factory reported greenhouse gas emissions of around 39,667 tonnes of CO2. To further reduce its environmental footprint, Tesla plans to expand its use of photovoltaics and pursue further water conservation efforts, as stated by André Thierig, the plant manager.

More than 40 companies in Brandenburg now carry EMAS certification, but Tesla's scale makes this recognition especially significant. Hanka Mittelstädt, Brandenburg's Environment Minister, emphasized that the EMAS certification builds public trust. The head of the environmental department of the state of Brandenburg, who highlighted the awarding of the EMAS certificate to Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin, is the Landesamt für Umwelt (LfU) in Brandenburg's Referat T24 "Technical Environmental Protection - Monitoring Cottbus".

In addition to its environmental efforts, Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin has reached several milestones. The factory built its 500,000th vehicle, the 100,000th refresh Model Y, and started production of the new Model Y Performance. As part of local compensation measures, more than two million trees have already been replanted, with plans for continued reforestation.

The EMAS certification is a testament to Tesla's commitment to environmental sustainability and marks a significant step forward for the automotive industry. With this recognition, Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin continues to set an example for other companies striving to balance industrial growth with environmental responsibility.