Strong signal for Earth Overshoot Day: VAUDE reduces emissions by 40 percent

- VAUDE takes action: 40 % fewer emissions with 27 % more sales

- Climate milestones achieved ahead of schedule

Tettnang, 24.07.2025 - On Earth Overshoot Day, VAUDE shows once again with the 2024 Climate Balance: There is another way. Today's global Earth Overshoot Day is a drastic reminder that we consume more resources than the planet can regenerate. In contrast, VAUDE proves that ambitious climate protection is possible within the framework of science-based climate targets. While German and global climate policy continues to fall short of the scientifically required targets, VAUDE has succeeded in reducing its global greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent compared to the base year 2019 - and that with sales growth of 27 percent in the same period. This development clearly shows that ambitious climate protection works - if it is pursued consistently.

"Together, we have managed to reduce our global greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared to the base year 2019. I am very pleased with this result - and it gives us hope. Because it shows: If we move forward with courage and conviction, we can bring about real change," says Antje von Dewitz, Managing Director of VAUDE.

Science Based Targets & Net Zero Strategy

VAUDE has committed to science-based climate targets - the Science Based Targets (SBTs) - and is thus doing its part to limit man-made global warming to the 1.5 °C agreed in the Paris Climate Agreement. Various short-term and long-term climate targets have been defined along the way. Net zero is to be achieved by 2040.

Switch to renewable energy sources in the supply chain

"We almost achieved our 2030 climate target of halving our emissions in the supply chain by 2024 with a 48% reduction - something we didn't even think was possible," Antje von Dewitz continues. This was achieved primarily by phasing out fossil fuels from our global material suppliers. VAUDE relies on cooperation within the outdoor industry as part of the Carbon Reduction Project of the European Outdoor Group (EOG). "The transition to lower-emission energy sources in the supply chain is one of our strongest levers on the way to reducing our emissions. We can show that strong cooperation in the industry makes a difference," says Hilke Patzwall, Head of Sustainability Management at VAUDE.

Successful reduction in vehicle fleet and heating

VAUDE has already far exceeded the short-term climate target to reduce Scope 1 emissions by 2026 by 2024. This relates to emissions from heating and the company fleet at the company headquarters in southern Germany. The goal was to reduce these by 45% compared to the base year 2019; in 2024, the reduction was already 71%. Heating at VAUDE has long been climate-friendly; VAUDE has been using certified biogas from sugar production residues at the Tettnang site since 2013. The significant reduction since 2019 is due to the gradual electrification of the VAUDE vehicle fleet, two thirds of all vehicles have already been converted. The e-cars can be charged with 100% green electricity at the company headquarters during working hours.

Recycling, closed-loop strategy and lower material consumption

VAUDE also achieves significant savings through the materials from which its products are made. In the 2025 Collection, 90 percent of the products are already made from at least 50 percent recycled or renewable materials. VAUDE has set itself a new, even more ambitious target: By 2030, at least 90 percent of products should have a share of 85 percent recycled or renewable materials. Fossil raw materials are therefore increasingly disappearing from products. Instead, recycled and natural materials are being used - which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

in 2024, VAUDE was also able to reduce material consumption by around 30 percent compared to the previous year - a result of various measures to increase efficiency. Although the year 2024 was also characterized by major economic challenges with stagnating sales figures in the outdoor market, the analysis shows that despite fewer units produced, the majority of the reduction in emissions is due to structural improvements, not lower production volumes.

VAUDE remains on course - for a sustainable economy

The outdoor industry - like many other industries - continues to be under economic pressure. VAUDE is also feeling the challenges: consumer restraint, rising costs and uncertainties in the markets. However, the company is sticking to its goal of consistently reducing its own emissions and contributing to compliance with the Paris Climate Agreement. Investments are being carefully examined - but the long-term change towards climate-friendly business remains the benchmark - even in economically challenging times. After all, cutting back on sustainable structures today will jeopardize competitiveness tomorrow. "We stand for a different form of economic activity - ecological, fair and intergenerational. Abandoning this stance would not be a solution, but part of a problem that is getting worse," says Antje von Dewitz. This clear commitment to responsibility, transformation and innovation is the foundation on which VAUDE will continue to build in the future.

More about the VAUDE climate strategy Net Zero by 2040

VAUDE Climate Balance 2024 (from the beginning of August) in the new VAUDE Sustainability Report

More about the Carbon Reduction Project of the European Outdoor Group