By 2027, the company wants to reduce CO2 emissions from upstream and downstream supply chains, which account for 80 to 85% of the total CO2 footprint (Scope 3), by 25%. “Intact nature is the basis for unforgettable outdoor experiences. That’s why Lowa has always been committed to acting in an environmentally conscious manner and bringing products of high quality and a long service life onto the market,” says Lowa managing director Alexander Nicolai.
“We stand for ambitious but realistic sustainability goals. Step by step, in the spirit of a stage climber, we want to reduce the impact on the environment and nature and increase social standards. Our advantage is that we produce almost exclusively in Europe and predominantly in our own factories. This gives us a comparatively high level of control over the entire supply chain. This means we also have a direct responsibility.”
Lowa’s sustainability strategy is a further development of the comprehensive corporate responsibility concept that has already existed for years. It includes four fields of action that are backed by specific goals:
1. Products
Lowa is currently working on a guideline for sustainable product development. From 2027, all new products should meet their requirements. By 2027, life cycle assessments (LCA) should be available for 80% of Lowa models in accordance with relevant life cycle assessment standards. From January 1, 2025, the entire Lowa outdoor collection will be PFC-free. The company maintains an in-house service with around 40,000 submissions per year for repairs to significantly extend the life cycle of the shoes.
2. Supply chain
Lowa has been a member of the Fair Wear Foundation since 2023. The organization subjects its members to comprehensive brand performance checks every year, which are intended to create transparency about the working and production conditions in their own companies and at production partners.
3. Environment & Climate
Lowa wants to become climate neutral by 2050 (across all areas Scope 1 to 3). To achieve this goal, the company is currently developing a comprehensive decarbonization strategy to capture, measure and reduce all emission sources along the value chain. By 2027, CO2 emissions in the areas of Scope 1 (all direct emissions) and Scope 2 (emissions from purchased energy) are to be halved (base year: 2023). Lowa is aiming to reduce Scope 3 emissions (upstream and downstream supply chains), which account for 80 to 85% of the total CO2 footprint, by 25% by 2027. In Germany, Lowa already covers 60% of its own electricity needs via a PV system. The company says investments will also be made at the Bošany production site in Slovakia.
4. People & Company
With the Code of Conduct, which was introduced in 2012 and has been continuously developed, Lowa says it has a compass that sets binding ethical, ecological and social standards that apply to all locations, partnerships and supplier relationships. The code was re-rolled out together with an anonymous reporting system in 2022 and now also includes comprehensive anti-discrimination measures.
Annika Jestädt, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Lowa, explains: “We do not view sustainability as a state, but as a process in which we move towards our goals, step by step. Innovations in design, materials and production techniques are incorporated into this process, as are the requirements of customers, employees and partners. With the first sustainability report, we are starting to present our commitment transparently and allow ourselves to be measured against our goals.”
