OVS S.p.A.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:8,490 tCO2e/year (Scope 1)
Scope 1 Emissions:8,451 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:5,066 tCO2e/year (market-based)
Scope 3 Emissions:289,086 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:78.8%
Total Energy Consumption:596,651 GJ/year
Water Consumption:728,938 m3/year
Waste Generated:10,042 tons/year
ESG Focus Areas
- Sustainable products
- Sustainable supply chain and respect for human rights
- Circular design
- Attention to diversity and inclusion
- Caring for people and developing potential
- Community support
- Fighting the climate crisis and managing the environmental footprint
- Listening to the customer
- Transparency and sustainable communication
- Innovation orientation
- Sustainable stores
- Industrial and institutional relations
Environmental Achievements
- More than 1,400 tons of paper saved thanks to the recycling of cardboard
- More than 58% of the total order is made from an OEKO-TEX 100 certified supply chain
- Achieving 85% cotton from certified more sustainable sources, over 11,000 tons of cotton purchased from certified organic crops
- 309 tons of recycled polyester prevented more than 20 million plastic bottles from being scattered into the environment
- 100% denim processing without the use of potassium permanganate
- 30% of denim products made with waterless treatments
- 100% of products tested according to high quality and safety standards
- Assessment of product footprint for 100% of OVS items through Eco Valore
- 18% reduction in overall energy consumption compared to 2019
- 100% electricity from renewable sources purchased directly from OVS S.p.A.
- Reduction of Scope 3 emissions by 22%
- Reduction of Scope 1 emissions by 27%
Social Achievements
- 100% of the suppliers have subscribed to the Code of Conduct
- 80% of the 2020 collections were made by suppliers monitored through HIGG index platform
- Publication of the list of 100% of product suppliers on the corporate website
- Adoption of a Labour and Human Rights Policy
- Increase in the percentage of female store managers in Italy (50.4% from 46% in 2018)
- Award for best advertising campaign at the Diversity Media Awards
- Renewed the BullisNo campaign
- Supporting the Healthy Seas program
- Adoption of an Environmental and Local Community Policy
- Implementation of surveys dedicated to sustainability
Governance Achievements
- 1,385 hours of training on the Code of Ethics and Model 231
- 55% of the Board of Directors consists of independent members
- 44% of the Board of Directors made up of women
- Defined a sustainability strategy and a program to improve corporate sustainability performance
- Approval of two policies in the field of sustainability
- Obtaining ISO 14001:2015 certification for the head office and for all the stores
- Approval of a Sustainability Plan
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Scope 3 emission reduction plan aligned with Science Based Targets (SBTs)
- Definition of a plan to reduce water consumption and waste production at the headquarters
- 30% increase in used clothing collection
Medium-term Goals:
- 100% production volume from suppliers active in improvement programs through HIGG by 2022
- Plan to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO2 emissions, aligned with SBTs
- Definition of a plan to reduce water consumption and waste production in stores
Short-term Goals:
- By 2025, more than 90% of the collection assortment will be made from materials from certified low-impact supply chains
- Eliminating virgin plastics used in packaging by 2025
- 100% wastewater tested against mRSL by 2025
- Sourcing 100% cotton from certified more sustainable sources
- Extension of product impacts assessment for 100% of UPIM items through Eco Valore
- 100% of stores assessed with the sustainability index by 2021
Environmental Challenges
- Getting customers to understand the value of sustainability choices
- Accelerating the transition to a circular fashion system
- Economic and social risks throughout the value chain accentuated by the pandemic
- Potential risks to company reputation due to violations of human rights or environmental regulations
- Risks related to operational continuity of partnerships with strategic suppliers
- Risks for the health and safety of workers
- Risks of negative impacts on labour relations arising from gender discrimination
- Risks of ineffective communication of circular economy processes
- Risks of footprint on climate conditions and on the ecosystem
- Risks of interruption of business processes due to weather events
- Company reputation risk and lack of customer satisfaction due to lack of comprehensive management of relations with stakeholders
- Risks of environmental damage due to production of high-impact raw materials
- Risk of increased operating costs caused by unsustainable stores management
- Risk of loss of revenue due to inability to offer products in line with consumer preferences
- Risk of losing market opportunities related to new sales channels
Mitigation Strategies
- Launch of Eco Valore indicators
- Joined the Circular Fashion Partnership
- Minimising economic and social impact on suppliers during the pandemic
- Adherence to Code of Conduct and internal/external audits
- Active participation in industry collaboration initiatives
- Implementation of health and safety protection plans
- Adoption and development of wellness programs
- Adoption of an action plan for the development of strategies aimed at implementing virtuous Circular Economy models and processes
- Plan for rational consumption of energy resources
- Exclusive use of certified renewable energy
- Adoption of Codes that regulate the Group’s relations regarding the standards of conduct with the stakeholders
- Implementation of appropriate management and monitoring systems
- Adoption of a design protocol for the points of sale
- Adoption of in-store safety measures
- Customer satisfaction evaluation programs
- Proximity e-commerce program
- Digitisation of business processes
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 580/year
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Conduct
- Higg Index
- Responsible cotton sourcing strategy
- Product certifications
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option
Certifications: ISO 14001:2015, OEKO-TEX 100
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 5 (Gender Equality)
- 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
- 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
- 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
OVS's strategy aligns with these SDGs through various initiatives detailed in the report.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Eco Valore
- Recycled polyester fleece
- ECONYL® yarn swimwear
- Waterless denim
Awards & Recognition
- Diversity Media Awards
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:446,976 tCO2e/year (Scope 3)
Scope 1 Emissions:8,455 tCO2e/year (Italy) + 97 tCO2e/year (other)
Scope 2 Emissions:41,754 tCO2e/year (Italy, location-based) + 677 tCO2e/year (other, location-based)
Scope 3 Emissions:446,976 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:86% (of direct consumption)
Total Energy Consumption:651,733 GJ/year
Water Consumption:539,253 m3/year
Waste Generated:11,824.66 tons/year
Carbon Intensity:173.49 tCO2e/million EUR (2023)
ESG Focus Areas
- Decarbonization
- Circularity
- Workers' rights
- Transparency
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced product-related emissions by around 17% compared to 2019.
- Reached 89% of assortment meeting “Better Products” criteria (target was 90% by 2025).
- Increased use of recycled polyester to 22% in 2023.
- Installed more than 50 photovoltaic systems by 2023, aiming for 40% electricity needs covered by photovoltaics.
- Reduced raw material-related CO2 emissions by 10% compared to 2019.
Social Achievements
- Achieved 100% of Tier 1 suppliers registered on the Worldly platform (one year ahead of target).
- 92% of production volume verified on Higg FEM, 70% on Higg FSLM.
- Launched OVS Per Me welfare program.
- Co-funded EIS (Employment Injury Scheme) in Bangladesh.
- Renewed participation in Accord, extending to Pakistan in 2024.
- Improved worker conditions at Sirajgonj Fashion Ltd. in Bangladesh.
Governance Achievements
- Ranked 1st in the Fashion Transparency Index for the third consecutive year.
- Improved overall ESG Risk Rating to 9.1 in the “Negligible” category (Sustainalytics).
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net zero emissions by 2050.
- 100% of production volume covered by suppliers with democratically elected worker representative bodies by 2030.
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce emissions by 46.2% by 2030 compared to the 2019 baseline.
- Achieve 30% renewable energy by 2030.
- 100% of polyester and polyamide to be replaced with recycled materials or renewable alternatives by 2030.
- 50% of production volume covered by suppliers with implemented tools for resolving disputes within factories by 2025.
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce water consumption by 10% by 2025.
- Achieve 90% of assortment meeting “Better Products” criteria by 2030.
- 100% of denim made with water-saving technologies by 2025.
- 50% of production volume covered by suppliers with democratically elected worker representative bodies by 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical factors.
- Balancing sustainability with affordability for consumers.
- Achieving carbon neutrality goals.
- Ensuring responsible consumption.
- Managing textile waste.
- Low prevalence of collective agreements and worker representation in some countries.
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed the “Circular Operating System” program.
- Investing in the FASHION RETAIL RELOADED project (logistics plant in Apulia).
- Implementing strategies and guidelines to increase the use of materials with a lower environmental impact.
- Activating closed-loop production with post-consumer recycled materials.
- Launching a circularity program and revitalizing the second-hand collection and sorting process.
- Developing a program and solutions dedicated to extending the life of garments.
- Activating a support plan aimed at suppliers to define a decarbonisation program.
- Supporting the adoption of democratically elected worker representation and collective bargaining systems.
- Continuous training and creation of moments of involvement and empowerment of employees.
- Identifying the areas of greatest impact in OVS facilities to structure the most significant interventions.
- Integrating information on the production chain, impact data, garment durability, and end-of-life destination.
- Making new product traceability available to customers.
- Reviewing the reporting process with gap analysis activities against ESRS standards.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 325 audits/year (out of 506 suppliers)
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Conduct
- Supplier sustainability requirements
- Use of Worldly platform for ESG performance data.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes, market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: KPMG S.p.A.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 5 (Gender Equality)
- Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
- Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
- Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
OVS initiatives contribute to these goals through various programs and policies.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- OVS Cotone Italiano
- RE-UP upcycled collection
- Altavia ski collection (recycled polyester)
- Zero Water denim collection
Awards & Recognition
- First place in the Fashion Transparency Index (three consecutive years)