Quel plan d’action pour une baisse des émissions absolues de CO2 eq. ?

Our action plan to reduce absolute carbon emissions

Decathlon commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050.

According to reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to limit global warming to 1.5°C, achieving carbon neutrality by the middle of the 21ᵉ century is essential. This objective is defined in the Paris Agreement signed by 195 countries. It is in this global context that Decathlon is implementing a climate strategy.

DECATHLON's sustainable development objectives

Overall Net-Zero Target: DECATHLON is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050.
(This means that greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to as close to zero as possible, with the remaining emissions in the atmosphere being reabsorbed, for example by the oceans and forests. Precisely, for DECATHLON, when we use the term Net Zero according to SBTi, we mean that we aim for -90% absolute emissions with neutralization of residual emissions to contribute to global carbon neutrality).

Near-Term Targets: Decathlon commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 42% by 2030 from a 2021 base year. Decathlon also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 42% within the same timeframe.

Long-Term Targets: Decathlon commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 90% by 2050 from a 2021 base year. Decathlon also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% within the same timeframe.

Moving from our previous commitment to reduce our economic intensity (-53% CO2eq./€ in 2026 vs. 2016) to a reduction in absolute CO2 equivalent emissions is a major step forward in our climate strategy. Why talk about absolute CO2? Because reducing our carbon intensity does not necessarily mean that we are emitting less greenhouse gas, and so it seemed essential to make commitments in terms of absolute emission's reduction.

The first step: reduce by 20% by 2026 compared to 2021

We chose this reference year because in 2021 we obtained reliable and precise carbon emission measurements for scopes 1, 2 and 3.

The 20% reduction in our absolute CO2 eq. emissions over five years is not an end in itself. It is a milestone in our roadmap, which aims for a 42% reduction by 2030 to contribute to the global ambition of carbon neutrality by 2050.

This target is accompanied by a strategic action plan to ensure that we can achieve the announced reduction rate within the announced timeframe.

Decathlon's commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050 has been approved by the SBTi.

Scope 1, 2 and 3, what are they?

To carry out a GHG assessment, companies need to analyse the GHG emissions emanating from their activity and that of third parties. The perimeters within which GHG emissions are analysed are called scopes. There are three main types of scope: 1, 2 and 3.

Scope 1 : Direct emissions (e.g., gas combustion in stores’ boilers).

Scope 2 : Indirect emissions from electricity consumption.

Scope 3 : Other indirect emissions from the value chain (raw materials extraction and products manufacturing, transport of products, teammates commute, etc.)

Quel plan d’action pour une baisse des émissions absolues de CO2 eq. ?

An objective validated by SBTi

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a corporate climate action organization that enables companies and financial institutions worldwide to play their part in combating the climate crisis.

They develop standards, tools and guidance which allow companies to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions targets in line with what is needed to keep global heating below catastrophic levels and reach net-zero by 2050 at latest.

The SBTi is incorporated as a charity, with a subsidiary which will host our target validation services. Their partners are CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the We Mean Business Coalition, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

What action plan is needed to reduce absolute CO2 eq emissions?

How do we measure our carbon footprint at Decathlon?

As product designers and distributors, we extract raw materials, transform them into components and products, and transport, store and sell them. These products are used and eventually discarded. This is what we call the product life cycle. We take into account activities along our entire value chain to measure our emissions (scopes 1, 2 and 3).

We use the GHG protocol as the standard for calculating our carbon footprint. The protocol defines scope and categories, and helps to improve the allocation of responsibilities within Decathlon. The GHG protocol is one of the most internationally recognized standards and is compatible with many reporting frameworks.

Get into the detail of which levers will enable us to reduce our carbon footprint:

Decathlon has organized its greenhouse gas reduction action plan around 4 main levers:

- Decarbonising our footprint.
- Optimising our offer and designing products that last over time.
- Scaling up circular business models.
- Influencing our ecosystem through advocacy and mobilisation.

What action plan is needed to reduce absolute CO2 eq emissions?

But in concrete terms, how can we meet these climate ambitions?

Raw materials extraction and product manufacturing account for 74.8% of our carbon footprint, which is why it is essential that we prioritise actions at this level.
*31.12.2023

Raw materials

- Invest in more sustainable raw materials, as they have a high potential for reducing CO2 emissions, particularly in the metal, textile and footwear sectors.
- Design with fewer raw materials (e.g: functional and technical optimisation).
- Prefer raw materials with lower GHG emissions (e.g: wood rather than metal).
- Increase the recycled content of raw materials used in our products (up to the technical maximum, without compromising on product quality).
- Favouring recyclable raw materials at end-of-life.

Reduce energy consumption in production and the carbon impact of our suppliers' energy mix

- Work with suppliers to improve energy efficiency
- Design products requiring fewer processing stages (e.g: simpler form, functional analysis)
- Use less energy-intensive processes (e.g: innovative dyeing methods)
- Ensure a transition to a less carbon-intensive energy mix by eliminating all use of coal and using renewable energies.

Products transport

- Optimise upstream logistics operations (reduce the number of kilometres travelled per product).
- Work with international transport suppliers to use less carbon-intensive fuels.
- Work with downstream transport suppliers to develop solutions that emit less greenhouse gas.

DECATHLON sites

- Renewable energy sources and energy efficiency strategies.
- Favouring refurbishment of existing buildings over new construction for new shops.

Experimenting with a new business model

- Designing durable, repairable and recyclable products that are suitable for rental and second life.
- Developing our second life, rental and repair services.

Influencing our system

- Train teammates on environmental issues (e.g. climate murals) to get them involved in the environmental transition.
- Encourage soft mobility among customers and teammates.
- Raise awareness and support customers towards more enlightened consumption.
- Participate in international initiatives (ex: all Decathlon sites worldwide are encouraged to organise environmental awareness events such as the World Clean Up Day).

To find out more about DECATHLON

Picture of herbs

Our environmental challenges

Biodiversity, climate and plastic pollution in the ocean: 3 issues that DECATHLON are working on in particular. Why these? How?

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Conducting environmental audits - DECATHLON's audit system

Why do we carry out audits of environmental standards? At what type of suppliers do we perform environmental audits?

Picture of a workers in manufactoring factory

The production and manufacturing of Decathlon products

Issues linked to manufacturing raise plenty of questions, which is entirely normal:we reveal all here.

Picture workers in manufacture

Our manufacturing responsabilities

At DECATHLON, we design our products. To this end, we are also at the origin of their production. In other words, we put in place a large-scale manufacturing system to make these products available all over the world and in larger volumes.

Repairability scoring at Decathlon

Repairability scoring at Decathlon

At DECATHLON, the path to repairability scoring started in 2020. Why? How do you do it? What methodology? Explanations