Corporate Carbon Footprint since 2011

Every commercial activity that is based on the combustion and processing of fossil fuels results in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions), contributing to climate change. This greenhouse effect is causing global warming that threatens both people and the environment in various regions of the world in many different ways.

Based on VAUDE’s resource consumption data, the non-profit organization, myclimate, calculates an annual carbon footprint for VAUDE. The footprint includes the entire management, production of waterproof bike bags, all material and energy consumption, waste, warehouse and all goods transport caused by the production site, business, the daily commuting of its employees, the maintenance and the Kinderhaus childcare center. 

This footprint provides us with transparency about the emissions from different company divisions. Every year, we analyze the results of the carbon footprint and derive objectives and actions to help us continue to reduce emissions. VAUDE makes compensation payments for all unavoidable emissions.

Own graphic, source: “From Emissions Report to Climate Strategy” http://www.klimareporting.de

The unit used to measure emissions is CO2e: carbon dioxide equivalents. When calculating our carbon footprint, we not only look at all upstream and downstream processes, we also include other greenhouse gases such as methane in the carbon dioxide measurement.

Calculation of emissions follows these myclimate principles: 

• All greenhouse gases (GHG) are included in the footprint in accordance with IPCC.
  
• There are no biogenic emissions.
  
• Reference year for the GRI Report is the respective year of GRI reporting period. Activities at the VAUDE Obereisenbach location are considered.
  
• The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (WRI) is the foundation. Any assumptions are listed respectively in the source. 
  
• In almost all cases, the source is ecoinvent 2.2 (LCA database) with greenhouse potential (GWP): 100a from IPCC (2007). Each individual source is listed in the carbon footprint (Download as PDF)).
  
• Consolidation approach of operational control (in accordance with WRI: GHG Protocol). In accordance with this approach, we take into account all emissions resulting from activities over which VAUDE has full control of implementation.

For detailed figures on emissions at the VAUDE headquarters in Obereisenbach, see "Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Detail".

• "Energy" Chapter
  
• "Water" Chapter
  
• "Wastewater" Chapter
  
• "Materials" Chapter
  
• "Material Consumption" Chapter
  
• "Traffic" Chapter

Of course, VAUDE’s emissions don’t come only from the company headquarters in Obereisenbach. They’re also produced in our upstream supply chain, and because they are based on the quantities of the products made, we estimate these emissions to be many times higher than those produced at our Obereisenbach location. We have no consumption data from the supply chain that we can use to calculate a carbon footprint.

One exception is delivery transportation of goods to our Obereisenbach warehouse: see "Climate Neutral in Obereisenbach", "GHG Emissions in Detail and Halfway around the world - yet still eco friendly". Our goal is to significantly reduce emissions from product logistics in the years to come, and then also to include these in our climate compensation program.