Climate-neutrality at the company headquarters in Tettnang

We have been able to reduce emissions significantly with a variety of projects, both large and small. Emissions that we cannot avoid are compensated for.

Complete corporate carbon footprint since 2011

Every commercial activity that is based on the combustion and processing of fossil fuels causes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and thus contributes to climate change. This greenhouse effect leads to a shift of the earth's climate and threatens man and nature in various regions of the world in many ways.

Climate-neutral production in Tettnang

Since 2011, VAUDE has been creating and publishing an annual corporate carbon footprint for its headquarters in Tettnang. Since 2012, this entire site and all products manufactured there have been climate neutral.
After six years of environmental management, our database is comprehensive. We have identified our most important emission polluters, and we have already achieved significant emission reductions at this site by implementing a variety of projects, both large and small.

To reduce emissions, all consumption must first be detected and measured to the greatest extent possible. By reducing this consumption, a reduction of harmful emissions can be achieved.

Emission measured in CO₂e

The unit used to measure emissions is CO₂e: "carbon dioxide equivalents". In the calculation of the carbon footprint, not only all the upstream and downstream processes, but also all other greenhouse gases such as methane are included in carbon dioxide.

GRI:

EN18

GRI:

EN19

GRI:

DMA Emissions

Emissions per employee and per ton of finished products

Sound consumption data

For our Tettnang headquarters, we have extensive consumption data from which a sound carbon footprint is calculated. In recent years, we have derived targets and measures to reduce emissions. As a result, we have reduced the emissions at the Tettnang site by 21 percent since 2011.

Overview of emissions

For detailed figures about emissions at the VAUDE headquarters in Tettnang-Obereisenbach, see "Greenhouse gas emissions in detail".

More information:

in the “Energy” chapter
in the “Water” chapter
in the “Effluents and waste”
in the “Materials” chapter
in “Responsibility for disposal”

Overall emissions

The slight increase in emissions (by 3 percent compared to 2012), is due in particular to the higher material consumption in production at the company headquarters in Tettnang.

Greenhouse gas emissions at the company headquarters in Tettnang in tons CO₂e by source: particularly pleasing is the reduction of emissions from the shuttle. The VAUDE mobility concept shows its effect here (see link on Mobility Lottery Incentive).

Compensation with “Gold Standard”

All unavoidable emissions at the headquarters in Tettnang have been offset by a compensatory payment to a Gold Standard certified carbon offset project by the non-profit myclimate organization.

How carbon compensation works

“Unavoidable emissions are offset elsewhere by projects that reduce emissions. The balance of emissions is therefore neutral.” (myclimate-Kompensationsprinzip)

Project in China for CO2 reduction is supported

The amount VAUDE pays to offset its emissions is invested in a myclimate Gold Standard climate protection project in the eastern Chinese province of Shanxi which helps reduce greenhouse emissions.

The project involves replacing coal consumption from traditional coal burning stoves with improved clean biomass (from corn waste) burning semi-gasifier stoves in rural households. While cleaner-burning petroleum-based fuels are increasingly common in wealthier areas, at least 50% of all households still depend on solid fuels like wood or coal as an important household fuel.

Burning solid fuels leads to air pollution and is responsible for over 450,000 deaths annually in China alone. By substituting coal fuel with biomass, it is possible to not only reduce CO₂ emissions, but also improve indoor air quality, directly benefiting the health of the families.

More information about the project.

Our long-term goal is to systematically expand the climate neutrality of the company to our other production facilities as well.

Until now we have too little data about energy consumption and upstream and downstream processes from our supply chain to be able to create a carbon footprint.

Source of emissions

Greenhouse gases such as CO₂ are generated at VAUDE by the consumption of electrical, gas and other fuel energy, by the use of materials for production processes, and also by paper consumption, office supplies, data processing and packing materials.

Also included are all wastes generated on site, all business trips, the daily commutes of our employees and all logistics including the transportation of all materials and products in production in Tettnang and from there to all retail and distribution partners.

Three “scopes” for emissions

In the determination of emissions, there are three areas (scopes) in which emissions can arise from activities of a company.

Aus: Vom Emissionsbericht zur Klimastrategie

From: Vom Emissionsbericht zur Klimastrategie

Insufficient data from our supply chain

VAUDE’s emissions do not only come from the company headquarters in Tettnang. In VAUDE’s upstream supply chain, the emissions that occur due to the amount of products manufactured we estimate to be many times greater than those emissions resulting at our Tettnang headquarters. We have no consumption data from the supply chain that we can use to calculate a carbon footprint. An exception is the delivery transport of the goods to the warehouse in Tettnang: see "Greenhouse gas emissions in detail".