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

Decathlon has thus set itself an ambitious new commitment to reduce its absolute CO2 eq. emissions by 20% by 2026 compared with 2021.

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? 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 emissions reduction.

- This is a ratio between two indicators that can evolve independently of our climate change mitigation actions.
- The ratio may decrease while our absolute CO2 eq. emissions continue to rise (if sales in euros increase more rapidly).
- The intensity will reach a technological ceiling, after which we will have to activate other levers.

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

The 20% reduction in our absolute CO2 eq. emissions over five years announced in this communication campaign 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.

This was submitted to the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) at the beginning of August 2023, and is currently being examined by this body. 

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.
Scope 2: emissions included in scope 2, indirect emissions linked to the use of energy by the company.
Scope 3: other indirect emissions, i.e. all emissions not included in the scope of direct emissions and indirect emissions associated with energy (scope 1 and 2). This is the scope of emissions that is the most difficult to understand, since it concerns a multitude of players and economic structures.

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.

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
Scale up circular business models
Influencing our ecosystem through advocacy and mobilisation

Raw materials extraction and product manufacturing account for 78.2% of our carbon footprint, which is why it is essential that we prioritise actions at this level.
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- 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

- 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.

- 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

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

- designing durable, repairable and recyclable products that are suitable for rental and second life
- developing our second life, rental and repair services

- 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)