Zara owner Inditex reported a 10% rise in transport emissions in 2024, driven by increased air freight to avoid shipping delays caused by Red Sea disruptions. While the retailer made progress in reducing sourcing-related emissions, it faces challenges in meeting its long-term climate targets.
Zara owner Inditex's emissions from transport jumped by 10% in 2024 as the fast-fashion retailer used more flights to move clothes from production centres in Asia to its logistics hub in Spain and into stores.
The increase highlights the impact of greater air freight use as attacks on container ships in the Red Sea have diverted vessels from the Suez Canal route to a much longer route around Africa to transport products from Asia.
Companies' emissions from shipping have also increased as a result.
In its annual report published on Friday, Inditex said emissions from upstream transportation and distribution were 2,614,230 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) in its 2024 financial year ending January 31, up 10% from 2,378,464 tonnes in 2023.
Inditex did not give a reason for the increase in the report. The company did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Reuters reported in November that Inditex sharply increased its use of air freight to bring products from factories in India and Bangladesh, two key manufacturing hubs, to its Zaragoza logistics hub in Spain to avoid shipping delays that could hamper its ability to get on-trend clothes into stores fast.
Inditex has previously said it is working hard to reduce transport emissions through measures like alternative fuels and optimising routes and container occupancy levels.
The retailer, which also owns brands including Bershka, Pull & Bear and Massimo Dutti, on Wednesday reported a 10.5% currency-adjusted increase in sales for 2024, to 38.6 billion euros ($42.06 billion).
Its overall greenhouse gas emissions were flat in 2024 compared to 2023, thanks to a decline in emissions related to product sourcing, its single biggest emissions category.
Emissions from "purchased goods and services" declined by 6%, to 6,696,995 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from 7,102,152 tonnes, which Inditex said was thanks to buying more textiles that have a lower environmental impact. Inditex said 33% of its fibres and raw materials came from recycling of post-consumer waste in 2024, up from 18% in 2023.
However, the retailer made no progress towards its target of cutting indirect emissions, which includes the purchased goods and services category.
Inditex has a target of cutting its "scope 3" emissions - those generated in its supply chain, for example by supplier factories, shipping products, business travel and post-consumer waste - by 51% by 2030 and 90% by 2040, compared to 2018 levels.
Inditex's scope 3 emissions in 2024 were 13,427,762 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, a slight increase on the 2018 level of 13,421,935, according to the annual report.
Milestones published in the report showed that by 2030 it will need to slash that number to 4,916,311 tonnes, and by 2040 to 1,003,329 tonnes to meet the target approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative, a global nonprofit that assesses and approves companies' climate targets.
($1 = 0.9178 euros)
The European Union and the United States still face significant challenges in resolving trade tensions, with EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stressing the need for further negotiations on key issues like tariffs, subsidies, and market access.
President Donald Trump addressed the U.S. Justice Department on Friday, discussing ongoing legal challenges and investigations into his actions. His remarks come amid scrutiny over his handling of classified documents and other legal matters.
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Russia to accept Ukraine’s proposed 30-day ceasefire, stressing the importance of diplomacy in easing tensions and opening the door to peace talks.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer today, focusing on diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Canadian Prime Minister Carney has strongly asserted that Canada will never merge with the United States, reaffirming the country's commitment to its sovereignty and independence.
The European Union and the United States still face significant challenges in resolving trade tensions, with EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stressing the need for further negotiations on key issues like tariffs, subsidies, and market access.
President Donald Trump addressed the U.S. Justice Department on Friday, discussing ongoing legal challenges and investigations into his actions. His remarks come amid scrutiny over his handling of classified documents and other legal matters.
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Russia to accept Ukraine’s proposed 30-day ceasefire, stressing the importance of diplomacy in easing tensions and opening the door to peace talks.
Over a million displaced people in Myanmar are set to be affected by the World Food Programme’s cuts to food aid worldwide.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer today, focusing on diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
BioNTech forecasts a revenue decline for 2025, expecting between 1.7 billion and 2.2 billion euros, down from 2.75 billion euros last year. This drop is due to Pfizer write-downs and stable vaccination rates. BioNTech also plans significant job cuts and new hires.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
Regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan process, we cannot forget the years of occupation, and we will not forget them, President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Global Baku Forum.
Ireland has committed €15 million ($16.3 million) to Brazil's Amazon Fund over the next three years, aiming to support efforts to combat deforestation in the world's largest tropical rainforest.
The world’s leading banking climate coalition is reassessing its membership rules following the departure of major banks and slower-than-expected progress on climate goals, its chair told Reuters.
A WaterAid study finds major cities swinging between droughts and floods as climate change disrupts water cycles. Asia faces more floods, while Europe and the Middle East dry out. Cities like Hangzhou and Jakarta suffer extreme shifts, urging urgent infrastructure adaptation.
Climate change is threatening the sustainability of low Earth orbit, with new research from MIT revealing that shrinking atmospheric layers could significantly reduce the number of satellites able to operate safely by the end of the century.
Bulgaria can play a key role in the development of the Green Energy Corridor project, - said Energy Minister, Zhecho Stankov, at the 10th ministerial meeting in connection with the strategic partnership agreement for the development and transmission of green energy.
The European Union and the United States still face significant challenges in resolving trade tensions, with EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stressing the need for further negotiations on key issues like tariffs, subsidies, and market access.
President Donald Trump addressed the U.S. Justice Department on Friday, discussing ongoing legal challenges and investigations into his actions. His remarks come amid scrutiny over his handling of classified documents and other legal matters.
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Russia to accept Ukraine’s proposed 30-day ceasefire, stressing the importance of diplomacy in easing tensions and opening the door to peace talks.
Over a million displaced people in Myanmar are set to be affected by the World Food Programme’s cuts to food aid worldwide.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer today, focusing on diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment