Reima’s emission reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative

Reima is the first Finnish apparel company to have its emission reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The approval means that SBTI’s independent experts have reviewed and validated the targets to be in line with the Paris agreement and latest climate science.

SBT press release picture

Reima is committed to reducing emissions over 50% per piece by 2030. The clothes and mittens in the picture are made with recycled materials, which helps to reduce the emissions from fabric production.

The clothing industry is estimated to be responsible for 2-10% of the global greenhouse gas emissions, and companies are actively searching for ways to reduce emissions. Reima is one of the forerunner companies that have set ambitious emission reduction targets.

“Reima’s mission is to champion an active childhood – and the future of children depends on how well we adults can solve the world’s biggest crises such as climate change. That’s why it was clear to us that we will set ambitious emission reduction targets. Having our targets validated by the widely respected Science Based Targets initiative shows that our targets support the Paris agreement to limit global warming to maximum 1.5 degrees”, Reima’s Chief Executive Officer Elina Björklund says.

The now-approved targets apply both to Reima’s own operations (scope 1 and 2), as well as the value chain (scope 3):

  • Reima commits to reduce absolute emissions from its own operations (scope 1 and 2) by 90% by 2030 from a 2021 base year.

  • Reima commits to reduce value chain (scope 3) emissions by 51.6% per piece by 2030 from a 2021 base year.

Reima has measured the annual greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations and taken actions to reduce them since 2019. Reima has also offset the emissions from its own operations in full since 2020. Most of these emissions are caused by energy use in offices and stores.

The majority of Reima’s emissions are, however, indirect emissions which are produced at different stages of the value chain. The production of fabrics and other materials accounts for approximately 80% of these emissions. Consequently, the choice of materials and collaboration with fabric producers will play a key role in Reima’s efforts to reduce emissions.

Already in 2023, over 90% of Reima’s clothing contain more sustainable materials, such as recycled polyester and recycled polyamide. Additionally, Reima will collaborate with fabric suppliers to reduce the emissions of fabric production, which includes energy-intensive processes such as weaving and dyeing. In practice this will mean, for example, increasing the use of renewable energy and improving the energy efficiency of fabric mills.

“Our target of reducing emissions over 50% is very ambitious. It requires us to find new ways of working and to engage in even closer collaboration with our suppliers. Fortunately, we have already for some time used certified material suppliers that are committed to certain environmental improvements”, says the CEO Elina Björklund.

In addition to material production, Reima aims to reduce other value chain emissions. This includes transportation and packaging, which together account for approximately 7% of Reima’s emissions, and cutting and sewing, which account for approximately 10% of emissions.

Reima’s progress on climate work is reported annually in Reima’s corporate responsibility reports. The 2022 report is published in March 2023.

About the Science Based Targets initiative:
The globally recognized Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies’ targets.