Ethical Issues
Environmental Approach
As a global business operating worldwide, the adidas group has a responsibility to look after the environment, both for people today and for future generations. For the adidas group, we identified eight types of environmental impact categories that occur across our value chain. These are illustrated below:
The aim is to:
- Save energy and reduce carbon emissions
- Save water
- Reduce the use of non-renewable raw materials, using more environmentally friendly materials
- Reduce waste
- Reduce toxicity, for example through using less hazardous chemicals and through efforts to reduce the pollutants in waste water at supplier factories
- Improve the environmental footprint of raw materials and products
- Manage supplier performance through auditing, measuring and reporting against key performance indicators
- Use management systems to drive continuous improvement.
Chemical Footprint
Chemicals are widely used in global textile and apparel supply chains: from the cotton fields to the mills and dye houses that make the fabric and garment production. For years, the adidas Group has been running leadership programmes that address this topic within its area of direct influence. The path of Adidas' Chemical Management Programme is illustrated below.
Sustainable Product Program
Adidas has produced a line of products that are part of the Sustainable Product Program. These particular items are made in more sustainable ways to make the world a better place. Recycled and ecofriendly materials save recources and decrease emissions. Examples of items that are part of this program are displayed below: