We know about your net zero plans by 2045, especially when it comes to scope 1, 2, and 3. Could you walk us through how you plan to achieve this?
Thank you. First, a bit of background: since 1882, Beiersdorf has been at the forefront of skincare, with products that have always placed consumers at the heart of our business. We've been pioneers, starting with the invention of the modern skincare product, NIVEA cream, in 1911. Our journey began with visionary leaders like chemist Dr. Oskar Troplowitz and founder Paul Beiersdorf, as well as Professor Paul Gerson Unna, a leading dermatologist of his time. This foundation has deeply rooted us in science and a profound understanding of skin.
Our commitment extends beyond skin to a sustainability-focused ethos, encapsulated in our "care beyond skin" philosophy. This approach means caring for people and our planet. Beiersdorf’s sustainability efforts have been a priority for years, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement since 2020. We've set ambitious climate targets, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% across our value chain by 2025, and we’re proud to have already achieved a 19% reduction by 2023. Our ultimate Net Zero goal is to achieve a 90% reduction by 2045, a journey that involves transforming every aspect of our business.
It seems that sustainability requires both business efficiency and customer demand. How does Beiersdorf integrate these two factors into its sustainability strategy?
Indeed, these two aspects are interconnected, but let's start with business efficiency. At Beiersdorf, everything we do must create value for our consumers and stakeholders. Sustainability is integrated into every facet of our operations, from product development to production. For example, sustainability managers are involved in every step of product development, and we monitor our progress through a clear sustainability dashboard. This ensures that our commitment is reflected in our actions, aligning with our purpose of caring beyond the skin.
For instance, we have relaunched NIVEA Soft, now made with 95% naturally derived ingredients, 100% natural jojoba oil, and is 98% biodegradable, resulting in a 39% reduction in CO2 emissions. This is a testament to our dedication to offering high-quality, sustainable products. Similarly, we’ve eliminated microplastics from all of our cosmetic products, demonstrating that sustainability can coexist with product excellence. By focusing on transparency and quality, we convey our commitment to both our trade partners and final consumers.
Let’s talk about the circular economy. How are you integrating these principles, and what’s your view on such an economy?
We are deeply committed to the circular economy, which guides how we design, manufacture, use, and dispose of our products. Our packaging design follows the "Four R's": reduce, reuse, recycle, and replace.
In product formulas, we prioritize renewable, upcycled, and biodegradable ingredients whenever possible. A notable example is our recent launch of NIVEA Body Wash, where both male and female variants are now packaged using up to 97% recycled plastic and up to a 16% weight reduction with lighter packaging design, reducing CO2 emissions by 32%.
To us, a circular economy isn't just about recycling; it's about fundamentally rethinking every step in the product lifecycle. This commitment ensures that we're not only reducing waste but also actively contributing to a more sustainable future by constantly innovating how we create and deliver our products.
Do you believe natural ingredients are more efficient and effective in skincare? How does Beiersdorf view this?
The answer depends on how one defines "natural." Our priority is always safety and efficacy, and we are committed to using the best ingredients in our formulations, whether natural or synthetic. Beiersdorf has a significant number of scientists and procurement experts dedicated to sourcing the most sustainable, effective and safe ingredients. Our brands, such as Eucerin, NIVEA, and Aquaphor, are developed to meet the highest quality standards, utilizing both natural and scientifically proven ingredients.
We believe that our products must deliver top-notch quality while being sustainable. Our scientists continuously research and innovate, ensuring that every product is safe, effective, and responsibly sourced, allowing us to offer our consumers high-quality skincare solutions.
How does Beiersdorf integrate internal education about sustainability with external communication to customers and partners?
Education is a cornerstone of our sustainability journey. We believe that sustainability starts from within, and it's our responsibility to educate all Beiersdorf colleagues about our net-zero commitment. All of our employees, including the executive team, undergo mandatory sustainability training to fully understand and embrace our goals. We believe this fosters a culture of sustainability that naturally extends to how we interact with customers and partners.
Externally, transparency is key. We ensure that our sustainability efforts are communicated clearly to our customers, from product labels to marketing campaigns. This transparency builds trust and helps our consumers understand the journey and efforts behind each product, reinforcing the integrity and authenticity of our sustainability mission.
How do you maintain transparency and trust with customers, especially in light of sustainability efforts?
Transparency and trust are fundamental to our core values at Beiersdorf. We operate with the belief that climate action must be grounded in science, prioritized in business decisions, and communicated transparently. For the 2nd year in a row we have received a AAA rating from the NGO CDP, which is the highest possible score for our environmental efforts, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and our being transparent about our progress.
This transparency , allows stakeholders to see our efforts and progress firsthand. This honesty is not just about meeting targets; it’s about maintaining a genuine, long-term commitment to sustainability. Our dedication to transparency helps us build and maintain the trust of our consumers, partners, and the wider community, showing that we are not just making promises but actively working towards the commitments we have made, and fulfilling them.
