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2023 Sustainability Report
published 2024/08/01

Enhancing Quality of Life through Value-Driven Principles

Trust, credibility, and transparency are the core values guiding our business practices. Our mission statement, vision, and guiding principles reflect our commitment to these values and shape our approach to sustainability.

Our corporate philosophy

Entrepreneurship, for us, means taking responsibility and looking towards the future, considering future generations and the preservation of our environment. We aim to create greater quality of life and contribute to the common good in all areas of our actions. It is from this sense of responsibility that our values-based and forward-thinking business approach emerges. Partnership, fairness, and trust form the foundation of our collaborative work on an equal footing, both within our company and with our global distribution and production partners. This fosters reliability and stability.


As a company committed to sustainability, we pursue long-term, future-oriented, ecological, and social goals. We align ourselves with the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and the concept of Planetary Boundaries from the Stockholm Resilience Centre. Recognizing the importance of contributing to the common good, we are pioneers in the field of the Economy for the Common Good, with an audited Common Good Balance Sheet.


In our statement of principles, we commit to upholding the highest standards of human rights, environmental protection and animal welfare throughout the entire value chain. We take responsibility for the social and ecological impact of our business activities in all areas.


This enables us to fulfill our vision and mission and contribute to a higher quality of life. At the core of this endeavor lies our guiding principles. They provide us with stability and purpose, serving as our compass, anchor, and guiding light in our daily endeavors.


»Creating a better quality of life is what forward-thinking business means to us.«

Antje of Dewitz, Managing Director

We recognize that our business operations affect the environment and acknowledge the finite nature of our planet's resources. Embracing this responsibility, we are committed to ongoing efforts aimed at minimizing our ecological footprint and lowering our greenhouse gas emissions.


We passionately pursue innovative and sustainable solutions, leveraging the best available technologies and highest standards. Beyond merely reducing our ecological footprint, we strive to leave a positive "handprint" on sustainability—a ripple effect that multiplies when embraced by many. This encompasses our dedication to societal cohesion, democratic values, responsible consumption, and forward-thinking approaches to address the major challenges of our era.

Moreover, we share our insights and expertise on sustainable business practices through the VAUDE Academy, empowering others who are interested in driving transformational change.

Furthermore, we're actively exploring alternatives to traditional growth models, considering how we can grow in a resource-efficient manner and the role circular economy principles can play in this endeavor.


The strength of our brand and the value of our products are our most valuable assets. Therefore, at VAUDE, we have a cross-departmental alignment with our mission statement, rather than focusing on short-term profit maximization. In order to sustainably and autonomously follow our path, we maintain our financial independence (see also "Sustainable business is worthwhile").



Our Guiding Principles

Our guiding principles describe what we stand for as a company while providing us with motivation and setting our direction. They are the foundation of our brand and clarify where we come from, what is important to us and what inspires us. They consist of three aspects: MOUNTAIN – WE - FORWARD which support us in discovering new solutions in our daily work and bringing our brand to life.


Mountain

The mountain is our origin.

The exhilaration of the ascent, the peacefulness of the summit, breathtaking vistas, and the joy to be found on the way back down all provide us with inspiration.
THE MOUNTAIN stands for the high, clearly defined standards of our products, for durability and for experiencing nature passionately. We accept the challenges that THE MOUNTAIN presents to us as people and to our products.


Wir

WE, TOGETHER, are VAUDE

Mountain, nature, team, trust, partnership, fun, family - together they add up to our sense of team spirit! VAUDE stands for a value-based and considerate approach to nature and people. WE, together, are taking action and contributing to a better quality of life on our wonderful planet, which is worth protecting.

Vorwärts

FORWARD to nature.

Trends change as fast as the weather in the mountains. Sustainability endures. We are sustainable and innovative because we want the people of tomorrow to be able to enjoy nature to the fullest. We are pioneers on this path, always looking FORWARD. We are overcoming the apparent limits of what is possible – creating future-oriented products and services.
This is what drives us – FORWARD to nature!



Our Vision and Mission

What does VAUDE stand for? What problems does VAUDE solve? Or what value does VAUDE offer to consumers and society, both today and in the future?

Answers to such questions are provided by our vision and mission. The main purpose of the vision is to succinctly describe a customer-oriented value proposition and a future reality. It clarifies what drives us and what we stand for. The mission encapsulates the many contributing elements. It outlines how we intend to achieve this vision of the future.



VAUDE Vision
 
 
VAUDE Vision:
More quality of life through sustainable outdoor products and forward-looking business practices!

Creating a higher quality of life for our customers, employees, producers, partners, and society as a whole is the essence of our mission. Our focus lies on our core business: with sustainable outdoor products, we aim to provide carefree nature experiences. However, we extend beyond this. We envision life on this planet as humanity interconnected with nature. Leading the way towards the future, we strive to set an example with a new approach to business—one that enhances quality of life, preserves nature, and yet remains successful.
VAUDE Mission:
We create innovative products, solutions, and services that are environmentally friendly and fair. By prioritizing sustainable quality and implementing circular systems, we minimize our ecological footprint. In doing so, we respect planetary boundaries and strive to lead by example, driving responsible global business practices.

We produce innovative products that are environmentally friendly and fair, while taking planetary boundaries into consideration. We are aware of the adverse effects of climate change, loss of biodiversity, and environmentally harmful land and water use. Therefore, we prioritize sustainable quality, circular systems, and reducing our ecological footprint in all our activities.


We achieve this by consistently using renewable and recycled materials and maximizing the repairability and recyclability of our products. Additionally, we efficiently transition to renewable energy sources and avoid environmentally harmful substances throughout our supply chain. In addition to selling our products, we invest in resource-efficient growth through services that strengthen the circular economy. Initiatives like outdoor gear rental and the resale of used products support our customers in living consciously.


As pioneers, we lead by example and willingly take on the role of driving positive change. In pursuit of a livable future, we advocate for responsible business practices globally. We actively engage in political advocacy, participate in numerous initiatives and industry associations, and share our experiences through the VAUDE Academy for sustainable business practices.

GRI:   102-14
Statement from senior decision-maker
GRI:   102-16
Values, principles, standards, and norms of behavior
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Contact
Who writes this report?
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