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Pollution and use of water resources

Since the start of 2022, two more planetary boundaries have been exceeded: global chemical pollution (microplastics, solvents, etc.) and the freshwater cycle. Given this alarming observation, DECATHLON continues to help its suppliers implement practices that will have less of an impact on the environment by working on resource use and the industrial pollution of water, soil and air.

At the same time, the company is also working to minimise the release of plastic fibre fragments and the use of single-use plastic in its packaging.

Use of water resources: 2024 highlights

- DECATHLON updated its environmental audit grid, notably adding criteria that meet the requirements of the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals
(ZDHC) foundation.
- DECATHLON remained at the level 2 rating under the ZDHC classification (with three levels).
- The company launched a research project in Mainland China to better understand its supplier network’s water consumption.

687 Rank 1 and Rank 2 production sites are autonomous in measuring their water consumption

Measuring and reducing water consumption

Involving suppliers in reducing resource use

DECATHLON has an impact on water availability due to the nature of its activities, making it essential that the company supports its suppliers in improving their management of this resource.

Water shortages could also impact the company financially, which is why DECATHLON is working to set up adaptation actions for its priority climate risks. These include the growing scarcity of raw materials and rising prices due to the impact of water stress, as well as production disruptions due to water shortages or poor water quality.

To reduce its vulnerability in the supply chain and limit its impact on the environment, DECATHLON has been carrying out various actions with its suppliers since 2021, including the Sustainable Textile Processing project with its 18 suppliers consuming the most energy, water and chemicals.

Since 2023, DECATHLON has been collecting data from its suppliers through the Resource Advisor tool and verifying the related process using its audit grid. 

This helps the company to better understand how water is being managed throughout its network.
The reported data can be used to measure:
- Water consumption for domestic use
- Water consumption for industrial purposes
- The quantities of recycled water.

In 2024, DECATHLON began a research project in Mainland China to carry out an in-depth study of water use in the local supplier network. This choice can be explained by the number of suppliers located there, their water consumption and their maturity in reporting data concerning water use in their plants.

This study aims to identify and optimise the most significant areas in terms of water use. Ultimately, the goal is to create a proven method that can be duplicated at all DECATHLON supplier production sites.

Pollution and use of water resources

"Be water wise"

Understand why Europe’s water systems are under increasing stress. Find out how we can all work together to transform the way water is managed, used and valued. Discover why we need to protect nature and ecosystems that are at the heart of the water cycle. Learn about the many water solutions out there.

Together, we have what it takes to get this right. We can fix the water cycle. We can use water efficiently across the EU. We can make sure we all have access to clean and affordable freshwater. The time is now to be a # WaterWiseEU.

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