Zalando is the first platform worldwide to set science-based targets and have them approved by the independent organization, the Science Based Target initiative, which assesses companies’ targets and ensures that they are in line with the Paris Agreement. Due to the company’s platform model and scale, the commitment to the targets has the potential to affect a large share of the fashion industry and the majority of Zalando’s partners.
“Having our science-based targets approved is an important milestone for our sustainability strategy. We believe there is a clear link between sustainability and continued commercial success in selling fashion online,” says Kate Heiny, Director Sustainability Zalando SE. “The global coronavirus situation has shown us how flexible and fast the economy can be when change is needed, and this should be used as a blueprint when it comes to sustainability. Now is the time for a clear sustainability strategy and ambitious goals. As a platform we want to do more and thus did not limit our science-based targets to our own business, but will join forces with our partners.”
Alberto Carrillo Pineda, Director, Science Based Targets at CDP, a partner of the Science Based Targets initiative: "We congratulate Zalando on becoming the first online platform to have its emissions reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. By aligning its goals with a 1.5 degrees Celcius future, and asking its partners to set their own SBTs, Zalando is ensuring it builds resilience firmly into its business model and will be better placed to thrive as the global economy transitions to a zero-emissions future."