November 25, 2022 Outdoor Retailers Report Major Emissions Reductions

A network of European outdoor retailers known as the Outdoor Retailer Climate Commitment announces substantial progress in its efforts to curb carbon emissions after its first year in action.

A year after its foundation, the Outdoor Retailer Climate Commitment (ORCC), an open network of European outdoor retailers for more climate protection in the outdoor industry, is taking stock: seven out of ten members have measured their CO2 footprint for Scope 1, 2 and 3 (see Glossary in Note to Editors below), and six have joined the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) or are in the process of doing so. Seven members reduced their CO2 emissions by an average of 45 per cent in total for Scope 1 and 2 compared to 2019. In addition, the initiative has announced that it will be integrated into the European Outdoor Group, the outdoor industry’s trade association.

The ORCC was founded in September 2021 as an initiative of European outdoor retailers and today comprises ten members representing a total of ten percent of the European outdoor trade. Retailers with headquarters in Germany, Belgium, Italy and Great Britain and stores in all European countries, have come together to take responsibility for more climate protection and to work towards achieving the Paris climate goals with targeted measures.

The ORCC’s first annual results at a glance

• Seven of the ten members reduced their CO2 emissions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 by an average of 45 per cent in total compared to 2019
• Seven members measured their corporate carbon footprint for Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3
• Six members are following the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) methodology for setting their reduction targets, or are in the midst of preparing to do so
• Three members have formulated specific targets to drive CO2 reductions in Scope 3 through supplier engagement. Two members are in the process of setting such targets and five companies are currently planning their formulation.

Matthias Gebhard, co-managing director of Bergfreunde and co-founder of the initiative, comments on the network’s progress:

“Although all members of the ORCC are in close competition with each other, we are united by a deep desire to save our planet from climate catastrophe. Since this goal can only be achieved together, we founded this open network and set up a structured roadmap to support us in tackling this task. Now, after one year, it is evident that almost all ORCC members have done their homework for the first year and have at least completed the first step towards more climate protection.”

Priorities for 2023

• Recruiting new members in order to further advance climate protection together.
• Intensive exchange for optimizing the recording of Scope 3 emissions
• Increased measures to exert a targeted influence as an industry on more climate protection among suppliers and supply chains.

With its commitment, the ORCC takes a pioneering role in climate protection in the European trading landscape. Members commit to measuring their carbon footprint based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, setting targets to reduce their emissions (e.g. using the Science Based Targets Initiative or equivalent targets), taking action to achieve the climate change targets set, and submitting a short annual progress report that is made publicly available. In addition to reducing self-generated emissions, the initiative also aims to have more influence on the entire value chain in the trade of its goods and to create more awareness for the development and supply of sustainable products.

The complete ORCC annual report can be downloaded at http://europeanoutdoorgroup.com/ORCC

Main photo: European Outdoor Group / ORCC