The LEGO Group have announced a DKK 19 million commitment towards four carbon removal projects in partnership with Climate Impact Partners and ClimeFi.

The initiatives will support biochar, enhanced rock weathering and reforestation and will deliver carbon removal credits between 2024 and 2026. They will expand the company’s portfolio of carbon removal initiatives which includes a partnership with Climeworks direct air capture and storage solution. By building this portfolio, the LEGO Group is developing its understanding of emerging carbon removal and climate mitigation approaches beyond its value chain and how best to support them.

KIRKBI, the family-owned holding and investment company behind the LEGO® brand, has also made commitments valued at DKK 5 million with the same initiatives.

Annette Stube, Chief Sustainability Officer at the LEGO Group, said:

"We are proud to support these climate initiatives which we believe will have a positive impact on the wider environmental ecosystem. Innovative, high-quality carbon removal projects and emerging technologies have the potential to play an important role in supporting a more sustainable future, while reforestation has the potential to support improved biodiversity."

"These partnerships allow us to build our understanding of new technologies and practices to support a healthy planet for future generations.” 

Engineered Solutions: Biochar and Enhanced Rock Weathering 

In partnership with ClimeFi, the LEGO Group is supporting two biochar initiatives and one enhanced rock weathering solution.

Biochar carbon removal involves turning waste biomass into biochar, a process which stabilises carbon and stores it long-term. Enhanced rock weathering speeds up the natural process of rock weathering, by spreading rock powder over agricultural fields, permanently removing carbon from the atmosphere. Both solutions have additional benefits beyond carbon sequestration, notably for improving soil health.

Paolo Piffaretti, Co-Founder and CEO at ClimeFi said:

“We're excited to partner with the LEGO Group on this robust and durable carbon removal portfolio. The projects were carefully chosen based on ClimeFi's strict quality standards and underwent thorough technical review."

"The LEGO Group’s early adoption of these high-quality carbon removal solutions will help catalyse the growth of the Carbon Dioxide Removal industry and help achieve our shared climate goals.”

Nature-Based Solutions: Reforestation in Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley 

The LEGO Group has partnered with Climate Impact Partners in support of the large-scale reforestation project in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (USA) through the purchase of carbon credits.

The project is being developed and managed by the GreenTrees platform and aims to reforest more than 400,000 hectares (one million acres), in a region that has experienced significant deforestation. Reforestation aims to enhance biodiversity, restore ecosystems and remove carbon from the atmosphere. The project also aims to enhance flood protection, protecting against hurricanes and flood damage, and improve water quality in the Mississippi River by reducing nutrient run-off.

Sheri Hickok, CEO, Climate Impact Partners, said:

“We are proud to partner with the LEGO Group on its climate action ambitions, helping to turn them to tangible impact. This is a leading example of how the private sector can drive real impact – taking steps to reduce value chain emissions and simultaneously channelling finance to solutions, like reforestation, that deliver beyond value chain impact.”

A holistic approach to sustainability  

The LEGO Group remains dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions within its value chain, focused on minimising the carbon footprint at every stage. The company’s efforts to explore solutions outside its value chain, align with its goal to support the global transition to net zero.