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How sustainable is Adidas ?

Adidas & sustainability


Adidas

12 out of 21

Sustainability summary

Brand owner: Adidas A.G.
Head office: Herzogenaurach, Germany
Sector: Sport & outdoor - clothing & shoes
Categories : Male, Female, Kids, Baby
Free Tags: Adidas, Bags, Caps, Shirts, Pullover, Jackets, Dress, Shoes, Boots

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Adidas sustainability score report

Last edited: 6 May 2013 by Mario
Last reviewed: 6 May 2013 by Mario

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

2 out of 4
1. Is there a policy for the brand to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions? Adidas has the goal to reduce relative energy use by 20% and 10% relative carbon savings through ‘greener energy sources by 2015. (See 'Green Company Targets'). Source
2. Has the brand (company) disclosed the annual absolute carbon footprint of its 'own operations' (Scope 1 & 2) and has the brand already reduced or compensated 10% of these emissions in the last 5 years? Adidas Group publicly reports its CO2 footprint on the CDP website. Adidas' reporting scope has been expanded between 2008 and 2011 from 22 locations to in total 47 locations. Adidas states that on a relative basis (measured energy consumption and CO2 emissions per built-in square meter), the intensity stayed constant. Total emissions have not been reduced. Source
3. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce its absolute ‘own operations’ carbon emissions by at least 20% within the next 5 years? Adidas AG (brand owner) has set a 20% reduction target of energy use and a 10% reduction target of carbon emissions through 'greener energy sources' by 2015 (against a baseline of 2008). This reduction target is based on relative sales, Adidas AG does not communicate an absolute reduction target. Source
4. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the product supply chain that is beyond own operations (Scope 3)? Adidas Group reports on a policy to achieve a 10-15% reduction of energy emissions by product at core suppliers by 2015 (See link, page 26). Source

Questions about Environmental Policy

4 out of 8
1. Does the brand (company) have a policy to substitute raw materials such as leather and synthetic rubber with environmentally friendlier materials? Adidas Group has set the target to use 100% sustainable cotton by 2018 (page 25), is a member of the 'Better Cotton Initiative' and already works with sustainable materials like recycled polyester and Better Cotton (See link, page 23). Source
2. Does the brand (company) use these environmentally friendlier alternatives for raw materials such as leather and synthetic rubber for more than 25% of the total use of materials? Adidas mentions environmentally 'preferred' alternatives, but does not give clear percentages on the total use of materials used (See link, page23). Source
3. Does the brand (company) use these environmentally friendlier alternatives for raw materials such as leather and synthetic rubber for more than 50% of the total use of materials? See remark for environmental policy question 2. Source
4. Does the brand have a clear and effective policy to avoid the use of leather that originates from cattle farms in deforestated Amazone areas? Adidas Group published a statement saying that "... we have called for a moratorium on cutting down the Brazilian rainforest. We have asked our suppliers to support this goal and have set them a range of requirements"; including a treacebility system. However, there is no report on the progress or outcome of this policy. Source
5. Does the brand (company) have a clear and effective policy to minimize environmental pollution of chromium and other harmful substances from leather tanning processes, e.g. by waste water treatment or by vegetable tanning? Adidas Group reports that 79% of the used leather commes from tanneries with a Gold certification according to the Leather Working Groupage. Source
6. Is there a policy for the brand (company) to eliminate all hazardous chemicals from the whole lifecycle and all production procedures to make the clothing and footwear? Adidas Group has signed the Zero-Discharge Commitment. Companies that signed this document promise to "eliminate all hazardous chemicals from the whole lifecycle and all production procedures that are associated with the making and using of company's products, by 2020". Source
7. Does the brand (company) have a clear target to phase out PVC in their products, and has the brand already achieved a PVC phase out level of more than 90%? Adidas Group claims that nearly all styles in its global product range are PVC-free but due to lack of alternatives in a few countries, some local production of athletic footwear products still uses PVC. However, no exact percentage on the current status is reported. Source
8. Has the brand (company) a clear and effective policy to minimize the use of solvents based chemicals in their shoe production, and has the brand already achieved a level of average max. 40 grams of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions per pair of shoes? Addidas Group claims that for more than a decade have been requesting its footwear suppliers to reduce the use of VOC's in their manufacturing. According to the information found on its website, during 2011 the average use of VOC's was down to 23 grams per pair. Source

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

6 out of 9
1. Does the brand (company) have a supplier Code of Conduct (CoC) which includes the following standards: No forced or slave labor, no child labor, no discrimination of any kind and a safe and hygienic workplace? All standards are mentioned in the 'Adidas Group Labour Rights Principle' as well as the 'Workplace Standards'. Source
2. Does this CoC include at least two of the following workers rights: 1. to have a formally registered employment relationship 2. to have a maximum working week of 48 hours with voluntary and paid overtime of 12 hours maximum 3. to have a sufficient living wage? 1. Not found 2. No, maximum working week is 60 hours with the exception of extraordinary circumstances; hours of overtime is not specified and it is not clear whether overtime is voluntary (page 2). 3. No, only minimum wage; living wage is vaguely touched upon but not actually specified (page 2). Source
3. Does this Code of Conduct include the right for workers to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively; and in those situations where these rights are restricted under law, the right to facilitate parallel means of independent and free association and bargaining? Right to form and join organizations of own choice and bargain collectively is mentioned (page 2), but nothing found about situations in which this right is restricted by law. Source
4. Does this labour conditions policy also apply further down the production chains, at least covering the leather production or the animal farms? Adidas Group mentions has implemented a Code of Conduct in their entire company, which has been applicable in all regions and business areas since 2006, but does not specifically make clear if it covers also the leather production or the animal farms. Source
5. Does the brand (company) have a published list of direct suppliers, that have collectively contributed to more than 90% of the purchase volume? Adidas Group published a "Global supplier factory list" as at 01.01.2012. Source
6. Is the brand (company) a member of a collective initiative that aims to improve labor conditions, or does the brand (company) purchase its supplies from accredited factories with improved labor conditions? Adidas Group is a confirmed member of the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and is also engaged in other environmental and social partnerships. Source
7. Do independent civil society organizations like NGO's and labor unions have a decisive voice in this collective initiative or in these certification schemes? Yes, the FLA is acknowledged as a ‘Multi Stakeholder Initiative’ (MSI). NGO's are represented in the board. Source
8. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labor conditions policy? Adidas Group publishes a detailed audit report. Source
9. Has the brand’s labor conditions policy resulted in a ‘compliance level’ of at least 30% of the purchase volume, or a ‘monitored level' of at least 80%? The Adidas Group's compliance program is accredited by the FLA. Source