Otto Group
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2013-03 to 2015-02, 2021-2024, 2023-24)
Reporting Period: 2013-03 to 2015-02
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate change
- Resource conservation
- Labor standards
- Supply chain transparency
- Diversity & Inclusion
Environmental Achievements
- Increased share of sustainable cotton to 11% (from 7% in 2013)
- Increased share of FSC-certified timber in furniture to 33% (from 26% in 2013)
- Increased share of FSC-certified gravure print paper to 18% (from 8% in 2013)
- Reduced adjusted CO2 emissions by 24% versus 2006 baseline
Social Achievements
- Expanded Social Programme to include more suppliers and factories
- Integrated 17% of suppliers into the Social Programme (aiming for 100% by end of 2015)
- Launched 'Boost Your Career' development program for female talent
- Improved Health Index to 64 (up 1 point from previous year)
Governance Achievements
- Established Sustainable Supply Chain Management Board in 2014
- Linked Executive Board remuneration to CR Strategy 2020 target achievement
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Achieve 100% sustainable cotton in own and licensed brands by 2020
- Achieve 100% FSC-certified furniture by 2020
- Achieve 50% FSC-certified paper for catalogues by 2018
- Reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by 2020 (vs. 2006 baseline)
- Integrate 100% of suppliers with factories in risk countries into the Social Programme by end of 2015
Environmental Challenges
- High ecological impacts and social risks in raw materials processing
- Complexity and opacity of global supply chains
- Limited influence over upstream suppliers
- High social risks in final production, particularly in risk countries
- Need to improve transparency and data collection across the supply chain
- Balancing sustainability goals with cost and customer price sensitivity
Mitigation Strategies
- Implementation of impACT sustainability management process
- Development of Textile, Furniture, and Paper Strategies
- Implementation of the Social Programme
- Climate Strategy to reduce CO2 emissions
- Development of Supply Chain Database
- Collaboration with industry initiatives (BSCI, CPI 2, Bangladesh Accord)
- Use of Eco Facts labels to improve product transparency
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Group Directive Sustainability in Procurement
- Codes of Conduct for Merchandise and Non-Merchandise Goods and Services
- BSCI membership
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events, crop failures, raw material scarcity
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes, market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI G4 (Core option), UN Global Compact
Certifications: ISO 14001 (at some locations), TIP (Hermes)
Third-party Assurance: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Energy-efficient appliances
- FSC-certified furniture
- Sustainable cotton textiles
Awards & Recognition
- German Federal Government's CSR Award (2014)
Reporting Period: 2021-2024
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate
- Sustainable Materials
- Supply Chain
- Circularity
- Empowered Employees
- Conscious Customers
- Digital Responsibility
Environmental Achievements
- 100% sustainable packaging by 2023 (extended until 2024)
- Circular solutions implemented for 15.6 million products in 2023
Social Achievements
- Successful validation of near-term Science Based Target (SBT) by SBTi in February 2024
- Initiated climate protection projects “Scalezero” and “Clean by Design” in the supply chain in 2023
Governance Achievements
- Executive Board members’ variable remuneration linked to sustainability goals since 2014/15 financial year
- Established a Sustainability-Linked Finance Framework aligned with SLBP and SLLP
Climate Goals & Targets
- Net zero emissions along the entire value chain by 2045
- Absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emission reduction by 42% by the end of FY 2030/31
- At least 50% third-party brands and marketplace partners by spend covering purchased goods and services set science-based target by the end of FY 2027/28
- 65% "preferred fibers" by 2025
- 100% FSC®-certified furniture products by 2025
- 100% sustainable catalog paper, of which at least 70% FSC® by 2025
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain related emissions are the largest source of total emissions and are the most challenging to reduce due to indirect control
- Achieving targets requires constant engagement with suppliers, especially 30,000 marketplace partners
- Limited direct influence on marketplace partners and product production
Mitigation Strategies
- Constant supplier engagement
- Increasing supplier awareness and knowledge of scope 3 GHG emissions via trainings, e-learning and guidance
- Collaboration with suppliers and support through action plans, capacity building, training programs
- Monitoring progress and establishing reward systems
- Reinforcing suppliers by steering of their portfolio and brands, preferred onboarding, setting minimum requirements, incentivizing SBT partners via better placements on platform
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Compliance with legal requirements
- Socially responsible and resource-efficient production
- Respecting human rights
- Use of Higg FEM questionnaire for strategic textile suppliers
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
Transition Risks
- Increased cost of raw materials
- Increased carbon prices
- Risk of license losses for suppliers
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GHG Protocol, Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles (SLBP), Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles (SLLP)
Third-party Assurance: External assurance provider (specified in annual report)
Reporting Period: 2023-24
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate
- Sustainable Materials
- Supply Chain
- Circularity
- Empowered Employees
- Conscious Customers
- Digital Responsibility
Environmental Achievements
- Increased share of more sustainable packaging from 78% in 2022 to 94% in 2023.
- Increased share of preferred fibers in textiles from 55% in 2022 to 59% in 2023.
- Achieved 100% sustainable cotton target in own and licensed brands (97% in 2023).
- Converted all OTTO shipping bags to Wildplastic®.
- Hermes Germany achieved zero-emission deliveries in Hamburg.
- Recycled more than 43,000 tons of used electronic equipment.
Social Achievements
- Launched second-hand online shop at Limango.
- Introduced “Fits Me Guarantee” at Sheego for exchanging clothes.
- Implemented DigiPac project, eliminating 7.7 million printed delivery slips.
- Provided occupational safety training to employees of final production manufacturers in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
- Participated in the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles’ “Living Wage Lab”.
Governance Achievements
- Executive Board members’ variable remuneration linked to sustainability goals since 2014/15.
- Extended remuneration structure adjustment to Hermes Fulfilment Executive Board.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net zero emissions throughout the value chain by 2045.
- Achieve climate neutrality by 2030 for own locations, transportation, etc.
- Increase traceable cotton to 25% at Bonprix by 2025.
- Reduce adjusted CO2e emissions by 40% by 2025 (compared to 2018).
- Achieve 65% “preferred fibers” by 2025.
- Achieve 100% FSC®-certified furniture products by 2025.
- Achieve 100% sustainable catalog paper by 2025.
- Achieve 100% sustainable packaging by 2024.
- Deliver parcels without local emissions in 80 German cities by 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions and geopolitical conflicts impacting human rights and environmental performance.
- Decreasing availability of FSC®-certified wood in some EU countries.
- Complexity of supply chains and business models in relation to the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG).
- Uncertainty and ambivalence among customers regarding sustainability in fashion.
Mitigation Strategies
- Increased transparency in supply chains.
- Collaboration with business partners and stakeholders.
- Development of pilot projects like “Scalezero” and “Clean by Design”.
- Implementation of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG).
- Regular customer insights and communication to address customer concerns.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Group Guideline on Sustainability in Purchasing
- Business Partner Declaration on Sustainability
- amfori BSCI Code of Conduct
- Code of Conduct for services and non-merchandise
- Code of Ethics
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
- Increased cost of raw materials
- Higher CO2e prices
- Risk of losing licenses from suppliers
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Increased energy efficiency
- Switch to green electricity
- Shifting transport from air to rail and sea
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, TCFD, UNGC, Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
Certifications: SA8000, amfori BSCI, FSC®, EU Ecolabel, Blue Angel, Nordic Swan, GOTS, Weeelabex
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy)
- Goal 12 (Responsible consumption and production)
- Goal 13 (Climate action)
Initiatives contribute to these goals through renewable energy use, sustainable materials, waste reduction, and climate protection measures.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Circular Collections
- Products with sustainable materials (organic cotton, recycled materials, etc.)
- Home compostable shipping bags (Traceless®)
Awards & Recognition
- German Sustainability Award (Furniture and Electrical Retail category)