The Outdoor Retailer Climate Commitment (ORCC), a voluntary alliance bringing together some of Europe’s leading outdoor retailers, has published its 2024 Annual Report, offering an updated shot of the sector’s progress in emissions measurement, climate strategies and shared standards. The document aggregates data provided by its members and highlights tangible progress in reducing direct Scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as improvements in the quality of Scope 3 data through the creation of a shared supplier database.
Founded in 2021 from the initiative of European retailers, ORCC brings together companies such as Sportler, Yonderland, Bergfreunde, Bergzeit, Sport Schuster, Sport Conrad, Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports, Sport Pursuit, Globetrotter, Transa Backpacking and other key players, with the aim of making a concrete contribution to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Reductions in Scope 1 and 2, greater clarity on Scope 3
In 2024, 70% of members fully measured their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Thanks to measures such as the use of renewable energy, building efficiency upgrades and the renewal of corporate fleets, total emissions in these two categories were reduced by 4,857 tonnes of CO₂e compared to baseline years.
Collecting Scope 3 data remains more complex, but positive signals are emerging: 70% of retailers have begun recording the most relevant categories. To address limitations in comparability between different methodologies and systems, ORCC developed a shared database of generic Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs), based on data provided by multiple manufacturers. This tool is designed to make future calculations of Scope 3.1 emissions related to purchased products more consistent and reliable.
Suppliers, brands and climate targets
The report also provides a structured overview of the brands and suppliers represented in ORCC members’ portfolios, indicating which have already defined climate targets – such as Science Based Targets – and which are still in development. This commitment to transparency is intended to support more structured collaboration across the entire value chain. ORCC sees strengthening cooperation with suppliers, further developing the shared supplier database, and representing an internal retailer perspective within the European Outdoor Group (EOG) with a unified voice in discussions on these topics as key milestones.
Next steps
Looking ahead, ORCC aims to increase transparency around Scope 3 emissions, further develop common standards to be shared within the network, and support suppliers on their pathways toward climate sustainability. Ongoing dialogue among members will be central to addressing remaining challenges in a more structured way.
Statements
“The outdoor sector has the opportunity to lead climate protection through collaboration and transparency,” Bergfreunde
“Building a PCF database is a decisive step toward accurate Scope 3 emissions calculations, as well as a strong signal of collective progress,” Bergzeit
“More and more brands are taking steps forward in climate action, and the PCF database enables greater transparency across the entire industry,” Globetrotter
“Only through shared responsibility can we protect the natural environment that defines our sector,” Sport Conrad
“Collaboration across the entire supply chain is essential to achieving real emissions reductions,” Sportler
“You can’t say you love the outdoors and then fail to act on climate change. Climate leadership is no longer optional. Retailers are showing rapid progress – now we need suppliers and brand partners to accelerate with the same urgency,” Yonderland
