AKU has committed to the Science Based Targets initiative to align its climate strategy with a science-based emissions reduction pathway. In this interview, the company explains its targets, implementation approach, and key challenges.

Why did AKU commit to the Science Based Targets initiative, and what does that commitment involve?

AKU has committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to align its climate strategy with a scientifically grounded emissions reduction pathway. The company has committed to reducing its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 58.8 percent by 2034, compared to a 2022 base year, and to measuring and reducing its Scope 3 emissions.

AKU’s targets were officially validated in 2025, but the work began earlier. From the outset, the company initiated an internal process focused on data collection and analysis, scenario building, and internal dialogue. The objective was to define shared priorities and develop a decarbonization plan that is concrete, realistic, and implementable over time.

Following validation, AKU entered the implementation phase, which is expected to span approximately eight years. For the company, the commitment goes beyond achieving the emissions reduction percentage defined by SBTi. The decarbonization pathway is also seen as an opportunity to raise awareness among customers and what AKU describes as its “conscious users,” by providing information to support more informed purchasing decisions and everyday actions. In this context, AKU values opportunities for dialogue, including this exchange with Suston.

From a practical standpoint, how long does the SBTi process take?

Within the SBTi framework, AKU’s decarbonization pathway is defined as a near-term commitment, with 2034 set as the target year. At that point, the company will be required to publicly report whether it has achieved its emissions reduction goal.

In practice, decarbonization is not limited to a fixed timeframe. The work began well before formal validation in 2025 and will continue beyond 2034. The approaches, processes, and skills being integrated are intended to become a permanent part of how the company operates.

For AKU, decarbonization is understood as a continuous improvement journey, based on ongoing measurement, regular review of decisions, and the integration of new best practices over time.

What concrete steps will AKU take in the coming years to reduce emissions?

Following SBTi validation, AKU entered the implementation phase of its decarbonization plan. This work is structured as a company-wide process, led primarily by the Product and Operations teams in coordination with the CSR team, with support across product development, manufacturing, logistics, and procurement.

Since 2022, the Product team has measured the Product Carbon Footprint of AKU footwear annually, in line with ISO 14067 and with third-party verification. The objective is to reduce CO₂e per pair through design choices, including the use of recycled instead of virgin materials, bio-based instead of oil-based alternatives, and the integration of carbon considerations at the concept and design stages.

Operational actions include improving production processes and increasing renewable energy use. One example is the installation of photovoltaic panels at the Montebelluna, Italy, production site. Additional initiatives include replacing neoprene-based adhesives with water-based alternatives, using waste materials for internal shoe components, and assessing options to reduce the impact of downstream transportation.

What are the main challenges AKU faces in its decarbonization pathway?

Some emissions reduction initiatives are complex to implement, particularly when they affect customer expectations around service timing or frequency. Lower-impact solutions can require changes that are not always immediately understood or accepted.

Technology and infrastructure also present challenges. There are currently no closed-loop systems capable of fully recycling footwear into high-quality secondary raw materials, making end-of-life management difficult. In addition, recycled materials do not always meet the performance and reliability requirements needed for outdoor and professional footwear.

Decarbonization also requires significant financial resources, including for measurement and verification. AKU has chosen to annually monitor and third-party verify its corporate emissions and to share progress transparently. While resource-intensive, this approach allows the company to track results over time, understand what the data shows, and continuously improve decision-making.

Lead Image: Roberto De Pellegrin 2022