Decathlon has signed the European Commission’s Sustainable Consumption Pledge as part of the company’s commitment to reduce its impact on the planet. The retailer described the Sustainable Consumption Pledge as its “renewed commitment to changing the way we do business.”
The Sustainable Consumption Pledge involves voluntary cooperation from businesses to increase the sustainability of production and consumption, thereby complementing other regulatory actions. By taking the pledge, companies commit to the first of the following points and at least one of the others:
- identify their carbon footprint and reduce it by setting measurable targets;
- identify their environmental footprint and reduce it;
- increase circularity in their activities;
- respect social sustainability across their supply chain.
Pledging companies publish their progress in meeting their pledge commitments at least once a year. Decathlon has signed two commitments for 2030: to decarbonize its activity and to promote three initiatives on circularity to support its customers in making more responsible consumption choices.
A pilot of the pledge was launched in January 2021, and several companies, including small businesses, have already taken it. Business-to-consumer companies of all sizes that manufacture non-food products or provide services, including retailers, may apply (food companies are encouraged to join the Code of Conduct for responsible business and marketing practices, explains the Commission on the pledge’s dedicated webpage). Business-to-business companies may also apply, clearly stating in their application how their commitments impact sustainable consumption and production. The companies that apply need to be either based in the EU or able to show significant activity in the EU.
