With a science-based climate strategy and scientifically grounded climate goals, VAUDE is contributing to limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees in accordance with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Climate strategy with Science Based Targets
VAUDE's climate strategy sets ambitious, science-based goals to rapidly reduce all emissions from the company.
VAUDE voluntarily sets its own climate protection goals in line with the specifications of the Paris Climate Protection Agreement (COP21) and recognized as science based climate targets:
We will continue to reduce our emissions significantly, measurably contributing to limiting global warming to 1.5°C. VAUDE aims to achieve 'Net Zero' by 2040.
SBTI Near Term Target Approval
In August 2024, the SBTI officially verified VAUDE's Net Zero climate targets:
VAUDE commits to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2040.
VAUDE commits to reduce absolute Scope 1 GHG emissions 90% by 2040 from a 2019 base year.
VAUDE also commits to continue active annual sourcing of 100 % renewable electricity through 2040.
VAUDE further commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90 % by 2040 from a 2019 base year.
The official verification report of the SBTI is available for download here.
The SBTi confirmed in 2022 that VAUDE's short-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 are in line with the 1.5-degree target:
VAUDE commits to reduce absolute scope 1 GHG emissions 45% by 2026 from a 2019 base year.
VAUDE also commits to continue active annual sourcing of 100% renewable electricity through 2030.
VAUDE further commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services 50% by 2030 from a 2019 base year.
In the fiscal year 2023, VAUDE was able to reduce emissions by 30 percent compared to the base year 2019, while achieving a sales growth of plus 32 percent during the same period.
»This is an extraordinary achievement within the framework of our climate strategy. We can unequivocally demonstrate that tackling the challenges of climate change collectively is not only feasible but also immensely rewarding. It's heartening to witness that our dedication across the supply chain is yielding tangible success.«
Antje von Dewitz, VAUDE Managing Director
For further details and data on VAUDE's current climate balance, click here
50% fewer emissions by 2030, Net Zero by 2040
The foundation of VAUDE's climate strategy is based on a commitment to adhere to the current version of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which includes guidelines for carbon accounting, as well as the revalidation and recalibration of set targets, as necessary. These guidelines are considered a binding voluntary commitment by VAUDE.
The base year to which the VAUDE climate targets for 2030 and the Net Zero targets for 2040 refer to is 2019.
The baseline year for these goals, including VAUDE's Net Zero goals, is set at 2019.
The Net Zero targets not only differ from previous climate goals in terms of time frame and emission reduction targets but also expand the focus to include areas such as product logistics, packaging, waste management, employee commuting, and consumables like paper.
According to the SBTi guidelines, this entails reducing at least 90% of emissions across all three scopes by 2040. The remaining maximum of 10% can be permanently reduced or offset outside of the company's value chain.
For those interested in learning more about 'Net Zero,' this page provides a clear explanation.
Nature-based climate protection instead of climate compensation
Since 2011, VAUDE has been preparing an annual carbon footprint for the VAUDE Campus in Tettnang (Scope 1, 2, and 3).
Since 2012, all unavoidable emissions have been offset via a Gold Standard-certified carbon offset project of the myclimate foundation. This includes those from the Administration Department, all material and energy consumption of the VAUDE Manufaktur, waste, the warehouse, as well as all transport of goods caused by production at the site, business trips, the daily commutes of employees, maintenance and the Kinderhaus childcare center.
Since 2019, we have also been capturing the emissions generated during the production of all VAUDE products outside of VAUDE Tettnang. This includes the entire material (raw material) consumption as well as the energy consumption required for the production of materials (fabrics and ingredients) by our upstream suppliers
By fully offsetting all emissions, as of January 1, 2022, VAUDE was able to label itself as a 'climate-neutral' company with all its products.
Starting from the Winter 2024 Collection, VAUDE will refrain from making this statement. Climate compensation was always intended as a bridge for VAUDE during a period when we did not yet have sufficient influence over the reduction of emissions in our own products, processes, and supply chains. Through financial contributions to high-quality climate protection projects, we were able to make a meaningful global contribution quickly.
Curently, we have reached a stage where we possess ample insights into reduction measures within our own operations, enabling us to fully allocate our resources accordingly.
As part of VAUDE's Net Zero climate goals, we intend to offset the remaining maximum of 10 percent, as permitted by SBTi regulations by 2040, through nature-based climate protection measures. Ideally, we aim to undertake these efforts locally, here in the Lake Constance region, such as through the restoration of wetlands. We will provide updates on our progress in this endeavor.
Focus on Raw Materials and Energy Consumption in the Supply Chain
Currently, our resources are fully dedicated to reducing the two most significant factors in our supply chain.
Currently, our resources are fully dedicated to reducing the two most significant factors in our supply chain.
The majority of emissions are generated by the energy consumption of our upstream suppliers during the production of materials processed by VAUDE. Here, we are working diligently in a collaborative industry project to maximize energy-saving potentials in these operations. We also aim to support our suppliers in transitioning to renewable energy sources. Learn more about our efforts here.
The second largest source of emissions is the raw materials used in VAUDE products. Here, we have set ourselves an ambitious goal:
By 2030, at least 90% of all VAUDE products contain at least 85% recycled or renewable materials. VAUDE is committed to the principles of the circular economy: by utilizing renewable resources or recycling materials, fossil resources are conserved, and CO2 emissions in material production are significantly reduced. Learn more about it here
Since the Summer Collection of 2022, VAUDE Green Shape products have been made from over 50% recycled or bio-based materials. Learn more about it here.
Every commercial activity that is based on the combustion and processing of fossil fuels causes greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to climate change. This greenhouse effect is leading to a significant shift in the earth's climate that is threatening mankind and the planet.
In order to effectively reduce emissions, it's crucial to first track all resource consumption within the company. In environmental management, there's a saying: 'Out of sight, out of mind.' If you don't know your consumption patterns, you won't know where the major contributors lie, nor can you take targeted actions to reduce them, let alone measure success.
Of course, collecting consumption data initially entails workload within the company. The attitude towards this makes the difference: Instead of lamenting about 'bureaucracy,' at VAUDE, we see significant value in the transparency that these data provide us: They help us identify cost drivers and economic risks for the company.
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The most crucial step towards Net Zero is the reduction of all resource consumption, including energy, materials, and water. By doing so, not only do waste and wastewater decrease, but emissions also diminish simultaneously.
This applies not only to the company headquarters, including all internal production processes, administration, and employees but also to all upstream and downstream activities across the company's entire value chain. The beauty of it is: Not only do you save emissions, but often money as well.
In the calculation of the carbon footprint, not only all upstream and downstream processes in the value chain, but also other greenhouse gases such as methane are converted into carbon dioxide equivalents. The unit of measurement in which emissions are measured is called CO2e or carbon dioxide equivalents.
From the results of the carbon footprint, we have derived targets and measures to further reduce emissions. VAUDE compensates for all unavoidable emissions. The only exception is that the products manufactured by our sales and licensing partner Kailash in China have not yet been included in the carbon footprint.
Carbon footprint for the company or for the product?
VAUDE works with climate accounting at the corporate level. We are not currently calculating a climate footprint for individual products. Of course, it would be fantastic if all of us as consumers could see directly on a product the emissions that it was responsible for.
Thus far, however, there simply isn’t enough robust emissions data for the entire life cycle of individual products. It’s difficult enough to obtain quality data from the supply chain. When it comes to the use phase of our products, or even their disposal, we would have to make so many assumptions and work with so many unknown parameters that we are convinced that a truly robust statement could not be derived for them.
In addition, there is currently no uniform methodology for this type of calculation. If different manufacturers use different data bases and calculation methods, the results are not comparable. Who then benefits from such a "climate footprint"? The risk of greenwashing is quite high.
One methodology that hopefully will bring comparable results in the future is the 'Product Environmental Footprint (PEF).' The PEF has been developed by the EU for several years based on standardized calculations of environmental impacts across the product life cycle. Learn more about it here
Climate protection with social benefits in Vietnam
VAUDE has compensated for all unavoidable emissions up to the fiscal year 2023 (including the Summer 2024 collection) through a Gold Standard-certified climate protection project by the myclimate foundation.
This climate change mitigation project helps to effectively combat climate change while providing access to clean energy for communities in rural Vietnam – our most important country of production – through the construction of biogas plants.
Residents of rural areas in Vietnam often face a challenge in securing energy for daily cooking. Traditional fuels such as firewood or charcoal are expensive. At the same time, the use of firewood puts pressure on natural resources and damages the environment. The daily hours that women and children have to spend collecting firewood could be spent elsewhere, such as on homework, small income-generating activities, or leisure time. In addition, cooking is traditionally done on open, inefficient stoves in the house, which often leads to respiratory and vision problems. The methane-producing waste generated by livestock production is also a problem for the environment and households.
Using modern biogas plants also has a positive effect on local woodlands because the habitat of flora and fauna is preserved. This program creates new jobs and training for local masons who build and maintain the biogas plants. The residue from the biogas production – organic sludge – is often reused by households as a nutrient for fish ponds or as organic fertilizer for rice and grain fields. Here is the link to the official project website.
