PUMA’s Sustainability Excellence Recognized by CDP
Global sportswear giant PUMA has emerged as a leader in corporate sustainability, securing top ratings from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for its climate change efforts, water security initiatives, and forest conservation strategies.
In the latest 2024 CDP assessment, PUMA maintained its A rating for climate change policies while making significant improvements in water and forest sustainability, earning an A- in both categories—up from B and C ratings in the previous year.
This achievement places PUMA at the forefront of corporate environmental responsibility, proving that large-scale brands can drive real change while maintaining a competitive edge.
How PUMA is Leading the Sustainability Movement
PUMA’s latest ‘Leadership Level’ rankings stem from a comprehensive sustainability strategy that integrates environmental responsibility into every aspect of its operations.
1. Climate Action: A 90% Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Target
PUMA has set an ambitious goal to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 90% (market-based) from 2017 levels by 2030.
Additionally, it is working to cut Scope 3 emissions (supply chain and logistics) by 33%, a significant commitment given the global nature of its production network.
This aligns with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), ensuring that PUMA’s environmental commitments are consistent with the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming threshold set by the Paris Agreement.
PUMA is achieving this through:
✔ Investments in renewable energy across production facilities.
✔ Supply chain optimization to reduce emissions in transportation and logistics.
✔ Sustainable product innovation, including eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes.
2. Water Conservation: Saving Millions of Liters Annually
PUMA recognizes that water is one of the most critical resources in apparel and footwear production. To address this, the company has:
✔ Implemented wastewater testing across its partner factories to ensure clean water discharge.
✔ Introduced efficiency programs to reduce the amount of water used in manufacturing.
✔ Saved 2,401,002 cubic meters of water annually (2019–2023)—equivalent to over 7 million bathtubs of water saved per year.
This proactive approach positions PUMA as a leader in corporate water responsibility, ensuring that its operations do not contribute to water scarcity in vulnerable regions.
3. Protecting Forests: Ethical Leather and Packaging Sourcing
The fashion industry is a significant driver of deforestation, particularly in leather production and paper-based packaging. PUMA has taken bold steps to combat this issue:
✔ Joined the Leather Working Group (LWG) and Textile Exchange’s call to action to ensure that by 2030, all bovine leather comes from deforestation-free supply chains.
✔ 99.4% of its paper and cardboard in 2023 was either FSC-certified or recycled, reducing its impact on global forests.
✔ Most of PUMA’s leather suppliers are certified by the Leather Working Group, ensuring responsible sourcing practices.
By enforcing strict environmental standards for suppliers, PUMA is setting an example for forest conservation in the apparel industry.
PUMA’s Vision 2030: A Long-Term Sustainability Strategy
PUMA is not stopping here. The company’s Vision 2030 sustainability roadmap outlines a continued push for:
✔ Greater carbon reduction efforts through innovative production techniques.
✔ Stronger water conservation initiatives in key manufacturing hubs.
✔ Advancements in circular economy solutions, such as recycling programs and biodegradable materials.
✔ Enhanced ethical material sourcing across its supply chain.
According to Veronique Rochet, PUMA’s Senior Director of Sustainability, the company remains committed to improving its sustainability performance even further in the coming years.
Final Thoughts: Why PUMA’s Sustainability Leadership Matters
As consumers and investors demand greater environmental accountability, companies like PUMA that take sustainability seriously will be the ones that thrive.
By integrating climate action, water security, and forest conservation into its business model, PUMA is proving that sustainability is not a cost but a competitive advantage.
PUMA’s approach serves as a blueprint for other corporations looking to balance profitability with sustainability. As the urgency of climate change accelerates, will other brands step up to match PUMA’s efforts?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments! How important is sustainability to you when choosing a brand?
Thank you for reading!
