Climate protection

Our goal is to become Net-Zero by 2045, which means reducing 90% of our released emissions and permanently storing the remainder.

Where we stand

The gross CO₂ footprint, system boundary 2023, totaled:

671.40 tons of CO₂e

That means we've saved 31.66% compared to last year!

Our reduction targets according to SBTi

Our goal is to become Net-Zero by 2045, which means reducing 90% of our emissions and permanently storing the remainder.

We have aligned our reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to incorporate the latest scientific findings into our strategy. SBTi was launched in 2015 and is a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). SBTi reviews and validates companies' internal climate targets to ensure they are scientifically sound and in line with the latest climate science findings.

You can also find us here:
Companies taking action - Science Based Targets ↗

Investments in climate protection

We are breaking new ground in climate finance. Our main focus is on achieving our reduction targets. At the same time, through high additional investments, we are making a significant contribution to global climate protection. We are thus paving the way for a paradigm shift that channels urgently needed funds into global climate protection, without suggesting climate neutrality before we have achieved it ourselves through consistent emission reductions.

Investments in mitigation measures or carbon sinks outside one's own value chain are necessary to adequately protect the climate. However, crediting external reductions via CO₂ credits to one's own greenhouse gas balance is not compatible with achieving science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets. Therefore, the term "compensation" is rejected by science.¹,²

¹ P. 13 WWF Germany (2020) Fit for Paris: A guide on how to reconcile corporate climate strategies with the Paris Agreement ( Link ↗ )
² P. 9 Science Based Targets initiative (2023) SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard ( Link ↗ )

We have a fixed CO₂ price.

Furthermore, we are taking on additional responsibility for emissions generated by defining a fixed CO₂ price of €75 per ton of CO₂e generated in 2023. We invest this amount 100% in global climate protection. We will increase the amount annually until we reach the recommended value of the German Environment Agency. According to calculations by the German Environment Agency, society incurs costs of €254 per ton of CO₂e emitted.³
For comparison: On the voluntary market, CO₂ certificates cost an average of between €5 and €20 per ton of CO₂e.⁴ For the calculation basis of the investment amount, we consider our net CO₂ footprint.⁵ In 2023, this amounted to 735.76 tons of CO₂e.

For the year 2023, Vonmählen is investing a total of €55,182. It is particularly important to us that 100% of the funds flow into the project. The WWF provides us with annual reports on the use of the funds and their effectiveness.

³ German Environment Agency (2023) Social costs of environmental pollution ( Link ↗ )
⁴ P. 12 Sylvera (2023) The State of Carbon Credits in 2023 ( Link ↗ )
⁵ The net CO₂e footprint includes all emissions, except those that have already been compensated for or reduced. Scope 2 is calculated here on a market-based basis. Due to the purchase of green electricity, emissions that are included in the location-based calculation are eliminated. In Scope 3, 117.62 t CO₂e have already been compensated for in the transport sector by freight forwarders.

Recycled materials

A large portion of our emissions are generated by the materials used in our products. Recycled materials can avoid a significant portion of the emissions normally associated with conventional materials. The extraction of recycled materials sometimes results in up to 80% fewer emissions! In addition, recycling can drastically reduce the demand for fossil raw materials and minerals. At the same time, the amount of waste is considerably reduced.

We communicate the proportion of recycled materials in our products via the Global Recycled Standard (GRS). The stringent requirements of the GRS extend across our entire supply chain. The standard covers all stages of the production chain – from the processing of recycled materials in recycling yards to the storage of finished products in the distribution center. To obtain certification, strict environmental and social standards must be met by both our suppliers and ourselves. We have been a GRS-certified company since July 2023.

Find us in the official GRS directory ↗

Product labeling

To be as transparent as possible, we will always indicate the proportion of recycled materials used on products. However, we will only provide products with a GRS logo if they consist of more than 50% recycled materials overall.

FSC-certified packaging

We do not use plastic in our packaging. This reduces the potential environmental impact of improperly disposed waste. Furthermore, paper is easier to recycle, which also reduces the downstream demand for new raw materials.

99% of the paper in our packaging is FSC-certified.

Our goal is to make 100% of our packaging from paper in the future, thus switching from composite packaging to single-material packaging. Goodbye plastic, adhesive and magnets.

• ↘ Monomaterial packaging made of paper is easier to recycle
• ↘ Reduced environmental impact due to plastic waste

We want to promote sustainable consumption not only through innovative products, but also through sustainable packaging solutions.

Optimized packaging

We want to promote sustainable consumption not only through innovative products, but also through sustainable packaging solutions. Eliminating unnecessary accessories allows us to switch to smaller packaging.

In addition, we precisely match the sizes of our product packaging to the outer cartons. This allows us to utilize maximum space and minimize the use of packing material.

Advantages of smaller packaging sizes

• ↘ Smaller Material Footprint
• ↘ Lower CO2 emissions in transport
• ↘ Lower transportation costs per product

In addition, we precisely match the sizes of our product packaging to the outer cartons. This allows us to make maximum use of space and minimize the use of packing material. 99% of the paper in our packaging is FSC-certified, meaning it comes from a demonstrably responsible forestry operation.

Climate- and cost-efficient logistics

Further developing our logistics strategies is another key element in achieving our reduction targets. Air freight may be fast and allow for dynamic order processing, but it causes a lot of greenhouse gas emissions and is expensive. Our goal is to increasingly rely on sea transport. This approach not only offers cost savings, but also significantly reduces environmental impact. This goal simultaneously requires forward-looking planning. Our service partners share our commitment to sustainability and pursue transparent strategies in this regard. This transparency ensures that our cooperation is in line with our sustainability goals not only in the short term, but also in the medium and long term. Thanks to their detailed sustainability reporting, we can precisely understand the real impact of our transport on the environment.

In addition, we are currently reviewing the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels for air transport. This is another step in our effort to implement more environmentally friendly and sustainable practices throughout our entire logistics chain.