BETTER Society
Solutions for healthy and sustainable living
for more people
We are making efficient appliances accessible to more people, creating opportunities for a better life for everyone.
Our promise
Electrolux will leverage its global presence to accelerate technology transfer to emerging markets.
Read more about our progress on this Promise
The case for action
A refrigerator is one of the first things people buy when they enter into the global middle class. Appliances provide solutions to the most fundamental needs for household such as fresh food and water. From a social perspective, they free up time allowing people, often women, to have a job or for children to go to school.
Efficient appliances can play a key role
As the global middle class will almost double by 2030, this means that the demand for energy, water and resources will continue to increase. Efficient appliances can play a key role by optimizing the use of energy and water in homes. As a leading global appliance company, we have the opportunity to provide efficient and affordable solutions for the growing middle class around the world.
Our approach
We develop efficient solutions and appliances to help people around the world gain access to efficient appliances. The success of this promise lies in delivering appliances that appeal to and meet the needs of consumers with limited income, and in the right market conditions that emphasize the value of efficiency.
In the 2016 brand survey in Brazil, Electrolux was identified as the overall leading brand in the mass market. Consumers want manufacturers to prioritize recycling schemes, water efficiency and the avoidance of harmful materials. The Electrolux brand is strongly associated with environmental issues and energy efficiency, which helps to drive sales of our appliances.
We work with our global technology platform and international partnerships to drive this promise.
Challenges
- Alignment of Electrolux's global platforms across relevant markets in order to provide a Group-wide focus for this promise.
The progress on our promise
How we measure progress
- This long-term promise involves the ongoing development of our global product platforms
- Electrolux continues its partnership with the U4E program
Global technology platform
The Electrolux global technology platform provides a high degree of modularization to deliver affordable products with good environmental performance. In particular, South-East Asia, Latin America and the Middle East are important markets where Electrolux is developing solutions for the growing middle class.
Partnerships
Electrolux plays an active role in United for Efficiency (U4E), led by the United Nations Environment Program to develop recommendations on how emerging markets can leapfrog to greater energy efficiency. The program aims to advise governments on areas such as energy labeling, incentive programs, and the end-of-life treatment of redundant appliances.
In 2019, Electrolux joined the Cool Coalition initiative, which encourages companies to make their own bold commitments to reduce emissions in the cooling sector. Electrolux has committed to a plan to accelerate finding alternative refrigerants with less Global Warming Potential in refrigerators, freezers and air conditioning units.
During the year, Electrolux also signed the UN global ‘Business Ambition for 1.5°C’ pledge to work to limit global temperature rise throughout its value chain. Electrolux CEO Jonas Samuelson attended the UN General’s Climate Action Summit in New York in September to sign the pledge together with other business leaders. The pledge is in line with the most ambitious aim of the Paris Agreement, and is part of the science-based targets and climate neutrality objectives that Electrolux is working toward.
Next steps
| Roadmap 2015 to 2020 | Next steps | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Electrolux will leverage its global presence to accelerate technology transfer to emerging markets. | Develop global platforms with a high degree of modularization to deliver affordable products with good environmental performance. | dot2 |
| Engaging in United for Efficiency (U4E), a UNEP-led project to advice governments on areas such as energy labeling, incentive programs and the disposal of refrigerators. | Continue to support U4E projects. | dot2 |
The next steps towards 2030 will be announced in the 2020 report.
On track
Additional effort is required
Off track
Work has not yet begun
Electrolux
Electrolux is a leading global appliance company that has shaped living for the better for more than 100 years. We reinvent taste, care and wellbeing experiences for millions of people around the world, always striving to be at the forefront of sustainability in society through our solutions and operations. Under our brands, including Electrolux, AEG and Frigidaire, we sell approximately 60 million household products in approximately 120 markets every year. In 2019 Electrolux had sales of SEK 119 billion and employed 49,000 people around the world.
S:t Göransgatan 143
SE-105 45 Stockholm, Sweden