Sustainability

We acknowledge that our industry significantly contributes to environmental and social challenges. However, we are committed to being part of the solution. We recognise the urgent need for change and are dedicated to transforming our practices to foster a more sustainable future. Our journey towards sustainability goes beyond mitigating our impact - it is also about actively galvanising our industry to make a positive and lasting change for the planet and its people.

bird's eye: road winding through a dense forest

Acting as an enabler

Transitioning to a more sustainable, equitable, and accessible future requires collective effort. Given Zalando’s position in the European fashion ecosystem, we are ready to step up and embrace our role as an enabler - acting as a catalyst, convener, and connector to drive progress among customers, brand partners, manufacturers, innovators, regulators, and our employees.

Partners and supply chain: We aim to maximise our impact by leveraging our strengths also to propel fashion brands and suppliers to attain their sustainability ambitions

Customers: We aim to empower customers to buy better, wear better, and feel better by choosing an assortment and brands that align with their values.

Innovators: We believe that a broader industry transformation can only happen through investment in technology and processes. We aim to support scaling industry innovators by enabling access to customers, brands, and financing.

Regulators: We encourage and welcome EU policymakers to establish a consistent regulatory framework that will enhance consumer trust and protection and ensure a level playing field against unfair competitive practices.
 
Inside Zalando: Sustainability is woven into all aspects of what we do, both for impact and for accountability. With this, we aim to empower all Zalando employees to embed sustainability into their mindset and daily work.

Our efforts to lead by example are underpinned by our two sustainability ambitions: Net Zero and Decent Work.

Our ambitions

Net Zero by 2040 for Own Operations and Private Labels, and Net Zero by 2050 for the remaining company value-chain emissions (which include fashion brand partners, packaging and transportation emissions)

Empower workers through decent work and further expanding and measuring our progress on human rights due diligence for our operations and partners until 2028.


Our progress

Sustainability Progress Report 2023


Learn more about our People and Planet initiatives