Climate goals 2026: our achievements and struggles so far
Digitec Galaxus is striving to reach net zero by 2050. While we’re on track with some of our climate objectives, we’re lagging behind with others. What we’ve achieved so far, where we’re falling short and why tackling the toughest challenge isn’t entirely in our hands.
At our logistics centres in Wohlen, in the canton of Aargau, and Krefeld, western Germany, the packaging machines run almost nonstop. Day in, day out, thousands of parcels leave our warehouses and are shipped throughout Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France and Italy. This consumes energy, cardboard and kilometres, all leaving a carbon footprint. A footprint we strive to shrink over time as well as measure to keep track of progress. Here’s how far we’ve come and what lies ahead.
What we’ve set out to do
Together with our parent company, the Migros Group, we’ve committed to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). This means our climate goals are based on the Paris Agreement and scientifically validated. By 2030, we’ll have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 70.6 per cent compared to 2019, and by 90 per cent by 2050. To reduce the remaining operational emissions we generate, we’ve been financing climate protection projects within our own value chain in collaboration with the Migros Group since 2022.
Our own operations are on track
The good news is that we’re on track with the emissions we can directly influence. Since 2021, we’ve been purchasing 100 per cent renewable electricity. We’ve also reduced our operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) from 1,400 metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2019 to approximately 350 metric tonnes in 2025. We’ve achieved this by installing energy-saving light bulbs and replacing the gas heating system with a reversible heat pump at the logistics site in Wohlen. This represents a 75 per cent reduction and already exceeds our interim target for 2030.
The value chain: the elephant in the room
More than 99 per cent of our greenhouse gas emissions don’t originate at our facility, but rather along the value chain during the manufacturing, use and disposal of the products we sell. These so-called Scope 3 emissions have risen from 1.3 million to 2.1 million metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalents since 2019. However, the SBTi target is a 90 per cent reduction by 2050.
This goal can’t be achieved with our current business model. As long as we continue to grow and sell more products, emissions along the supply chain will also increase. Why? Because, as retailers, we have little influence over manufacturers’ production processes.
Instead, we’re trying to encourage suppliers to adopt science-based reduction targets. By the end of 2025, 14 per cent of our supplier emissions were covered by SBTi targets. Well-known manufacturers including Microsoft, Miele and Mammut are already participating of their own accord. But more participating parties are needed. That’s why we discuss this topic with our key suppliers (at least the top 50) once a year at the minimum.
Packaging: slightly off target
Our aim it to reduce CO₂ emissions generated by packaging materials per item shipped by 30 per cent by 2030 compared to 2019. From 0.226 to 0.158 metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalents. Currently, we’re at 0.174. Although that’s at least something, it’s not enough, as the interim target for 2025 was 0.166.
The reason for this slow progress is both trivial and frustrating. At our logistics facility in Wohlen, we’ve put five new packaging machines into operation that use more adhesive tape and glue than manual packaging. These materials both emit high levels of CO₂. We’re working on it.
Circular economy on the rise
Bringing secondhand products back into the cycle is one of our most effective strategies. In 2025 alone, we avoided around 20,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalents by reselling used products. And the secondhand trend is on the rise. It includes the sale of refurbished mobile phones, our own resale of returned items and our secondhand platform, where customers can buy and sell items.
Transparency for all products
What we’ve achieved so far: For each of the more than 10 million products available from our shops, we display the estimated carbon footprint – from raw material extraction to production to delivery. Our customers can make a voluntary contribution for every purchase they make, thereby supporting certified climate protection causes. These contributions don’t erase emissions, but they do support projects that aim to benefit the planet.
Occupational safety and duty of care
In addition to climate issues, we’re also advancing other topics. Starting in 2027, for example, we’ll be following a target to reduce workplace injuries at all our logistics sites.
We’re also working to uphold international human rights and duty of care standards across our supply chains. For our own-brand label, we fulfil our duty of care by means of various measures including audits. We also require that third-party suppliers ensure their products are manufactured in accordance with local laws and regulations and in compliance with the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct throughout the entire value chain. This code is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the UN, the conventions and recommendations of the International Labour Organisation and the guidelines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD.
Still some obstacles to overcome
The path to net zero isn’t a sprint, but an obstacle course with a constantly changing route. Although we’ve cleared some hurdles, others still lie ahead. And for some, we have to remap the route entirely before we can go on.
We’ll also be re-evaluating our progress annually. After all, if we’re providing transparency regarding prices, warranty claims and return rates, we also need to deliver on climate protection.
At Digitec and Galaxus, I’m in charge of communication with journalists and bloggers. Good stories are my passion – I am always up to date.
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