We aim to protect the environment – heritage of our community and of future generations. We recognize our responsibility in addressing the challenges facing the world and make every effort to tackle them.
We strive to reduce our direct and indirect impact on the environment by looking for solutions to lower our emissions, energy and water consumption, waste generation, and use of potentially hazardous substances. We are also committed to preventing deforestation in the procurement of any material involved in the production of our products and packaging. Our approach entails the engagement and collaboration of the entire value chain, until end-of-life disposal, as key to ensure a more sustainable business model.
Our commitment to fighting climate change is reflected in our company-wide emissions reduction targets set in line with the 1.5°C scenario and validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which include:
- A 70% decrease in absolute Scope 1 (direct GHG emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect GHG emissions) by 2030 (compared to 2021).
- A 40% decrease in Scope 3 GHG emissions generated by the value chain) intensity per pair of shoes manufactured by 2030 (compared to 2021).
- Sourcing 100% renewable electricity at our company-owned facilities worldwide by year-end 2024, achieved in advance in 2023.
In addition, as indicated in our Forward Agenda, we have also committed to become carbon neutral at our sites worldwide by year-end 2025.
Direct and indirect emissions associated with our activities (Scope 1 and 2) are mainly associated with the fuel consumption for our corporate car fleet, and a negligible part for heating, and with the electricity purchased for our stores, corporate offices and production site worldwide. Thanks to the use of 100% of certified renewable electricity in our company-owned sites worldwide, the 2023’ Scope 2 emissions were close to zero. Our decarbonization strategy envisages the upholding of the use of renewable electricity, the improvement of energy efficiency at our company-owned sites, and the transition of our fleet to electric or hybrid vehicles.
Our indirect Scope 3 emissions, which account for about 99.5% of our total carbon footprint, are generated along the value chain, mainly during the production and global distribution of our finished products. Our decarbonization strategy involves increasing the use of lower-impact materials in the manufacture of our products and packaging, as well as enhancing product eco-design and circularity by keeping in mind end-of-life management from conception; reducing the amount of packaging materials used while enhancing overall durability, reusability, and recyclability; increasing the use of life cycle assessments (LCAs) to further improve the environmental performance of our materials and products; and enhancing the efficiency of our logistics.
Our aim is to spread a genuine culture of environmental respect across our entire community – from our people around the globe to our suppliers, contractors, business partners, and all other stakeholders – doing our best to inspire everyone to care, respect, and protect our planet.
In our effort to mitigate our environmental impacts and improve our performance, we are working on multiple fronts ranging from eco-design and sustainable products to biodiversity, waste management, and packaging innovation, among others. At each step, we are making sure to engage the entire value chain, whose collaboration is key to ensuring a more sustainable business model.
To help protect biodiversity and preserve natural ecosystems, we advocate the responsible use of natural resources and the transition towards a restorative economy. We are also in the process of enhancing the traceability of our key raw materials, especially those sourced in areas at risk of biodiversity loss and deforestation.
We work with organic, recycled, or regeneratively farmed fibers whenever feasible, and never stop exploring other lower impact materials that require less water, chemicals, energy or land, as alternatives to conventional options that typically have a higher environmental footprint.
As further step we conducted an analysis, following the guidance provided by the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), of our direct and upstream activities and, more broadly, of our main leather and cotton supply chains, to quantify impacts and dependencies on biodiversity and natural ecosystems, with the aim of implementing a comprehensive strategy in the coming years.