“Through sport, we have the power to change lives,” such are the ambitions of activewear giant “Adidas,” which has been sprinting towards sustainability. In 2021, the brand declared a bold roadmap for 2025 and beyond, which focuses on leaving a positive impact on the planet. But as the brand moves forward, hurdles and challenges arise, testing the reality of its practices. This article explores Adidas’ commitment to sustainability, examines its goals and plans, examines the challenges faced, and suggests avenues for future development.

Commitment to Sustainability: 

Adidas’ commitment to sustainability is also reflected in its strategic measures to reduce environmental impact and increase social awareness. The company hopes to produce most of its products in an environmentally friendly way by 2025. It has also pledged to make all its products climate neutral by 2050. Adidas is working to reduce energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Empowerment of Stakeholders:

An important part of its sustainable development is the empowerment of stakeholders, especially employees and customers. Adidas is expanding its environmental message by promoting a culture of sustainability in its employees. By partnering with the consumer market on issues such as educational advertising and product transparency, the company aims to develop a community of eco-friendly consumers that encourages leadership.

Labor Rights & Social Responsibility:

Labor rights and social responsibility are an important part of adidas’ sustainability process. Although the company has taken steps to protect workers in its supply chain, fair wage issues remain, especially in regions such as Xinjiang and Cambodia. It’s commitment in ensuring a livelihood for all workers remains effective and requires continued efforts to solve physical problems and promote fairness in the fashion industry.

Animal Welfare works:

Adidas’ approach to animal welfare is characterized by the adoption of new strategies and rules. However, there are still problems in applying these rules, especially when purchasing products such as bird feathers and exotic leather. As consumers are increasingly placing ethical considerations in their purchasing decisions, Adidas faces more pressure to be transparent and accountable when it comes to animal welfare consumption.

Challenges:

Every marathon has its hurdles, and Adidas is no exception. The brand’s progress in reducing carbon monoxide emissions and removing hazardous chemicals from its supply chain has raised concerns. Adidas has also come under scrutiny for environmental misrepresentations and inadequate policies on deforestation and biodiversity conservation. These challenges highlight the difficulty of integrating sustainability into the global supply chain and highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability.

In conclusion, Adidas’ pursuit of sustainability is a fair way of addressing environmental and social issues in the apparel industry. While the business has made significant progress in integrating sustainability into its operations, there is still room for improvement, particularly in areas such as greenhouse gas reduction, policy work and animal welfare. By addressing these issues and using its global reach, adidas has the ability to drive significant change and set new standards for sustainability in the industry.

Written by: Gauttam Shah | Edited by: Nandni Ranpara