Volvo Philippines recently launched its first-ever “Fika Talks” at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.
with H&M head of communications Dan Mejia
The Volvo Fika Talks will be a forum series that touches on various relevant socio-political, cultural, and environmental issues. For the introductory session, Volvo Philippines partnered with the Swedish Embassy in Manila and Metropolitan Museum of Manila to shed light and exchange ideas about sustainable fashion.
Attending were key people in the fashion industry as well as fashion and entrepreneur students from different institutions, namely, University of the Philippines, SoFA Design Institute, iACADEMY, Marikina Polytechnic College, Slim’s Fashion and Arts Design Institute, Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship, University of Santo Tomas, and College of Saint Benilde. Prof. Kristyn Caragay from the University of the Philippines delivered a creative, educational presentation about the concepts of sustainable fashion and how designers of today can contribute to both people and the environment.
Dan Mejia, H&M head of communications, also shared the company’s efforts by highlighting their corporate vision of “leading the change towards circular and renewable fashion while being a fair and equal company.” The H&M Group is one of the global companies that signed the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action that aims to find ways where the clothing and textile industry can move towards a holistic system and achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2050.
Premier fashion designer Ryan Madamba also showcased a collection with pieces from up to seven years ago — highlighting that timeless, well-crafted, and efficiently designed masterpieces can last for years. Madamba is known for having an eye for unique and unconventional materials, such as burlap, to make his creations stand out.
Fika, in Sweden, is usually a break to enjoy coffee and cake. However, more than being a ritual or a tradition, it is also a time to take a breather from work and grab the chance to socialize and chat with friends and colleagues. Businesses, like Volvo, where fika is institutionalized have more productive teams.
That is why Volvo Philippines has taken sustainability efforts further by creating a venue where people can exchange ideas. Fika Talks is a chance to discuss ways on how to better society through conversations that will help change the world.
As what His Excellency, Ambassador Harald Fries of Sweden shared in his opening remarks, the fashion revolution will need everyone’s commitment and effort. During the embassy’s launch of their exhibit Fashion Revolution: The Future of Textiles, sample products, clothing, and textiles from different Swedish companies were shown to highlight the various sustainable ways and means that it have been created.
Volvo’s sustainability commitment extends beyond cars. Guided by Omtanke, a Swedish word that means “caring,” “consideration,” and “to think again,” the Swedish carmaker remains faithful to its core values of safety, quality, and care for the environment.
Volvo has been a long-time proponent of sustainability. That is why it is one of the founding members of the UN Global Compact. Since the year 2000, Volvo has strived to observe the Ten Principles of the Global Compactthat includes the adoption of a precautionary approach to environmental challenges. Volvo has also been an active supporter of the Sustainable Development Goalsset by the United Nations General Assembly.
More than the thoughtful design and fashionable statements Volvo cars make, it is what goes beyond every detail that counts. The company’s approach to sustainability goes beyond operations and products, and into society.
Here are just some of the ways that Volvo contributes to minimizing their global environmental footprint:
- All new Volvos are 85 percent recyclable and 95 parent recoverable.
- By 2025, at least 25 percent of all the plastics used in a newly launched Volvo will be made from recycled material.
- The Volvo XC60 T8 plug-in hybrid SUV demo unit specially built for the UN’s Clean Seas campaign has more than 170 parts containing recycled materials and will be used to shape Volvo’s future use of recycled plastic.
- Volvo’s engine factory in Skövde, Sweden became the first plant in Volvo’s network to reach climate-neutral status; a significant step towards becoming a carbon-neutral manufacturer by 2025.
- Sales of the V90 Cross Country Volvo Ocean Race car, itself containing Econyl mats made from recycled fishing nets, fund the company’s innovative Science Program.
Moreover, in line with Volvo’s industry-leading commitment to electrify all new Volvo after 2019, Volvo Philippines has recently brought in the S90 and XC90 T8 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrids, balancing power and sustainability and capable of zero-emissions travel.
These are just some examples that make Volvo cars literal vehicles for sustainable change. It is what makes Volvo truly a car for people, for the world we live in, for life.
To know more about Volvo’s Sustainability Program, please go to: https://group.volvocars.com/sustainability
