Calculating Axel Arigato’s Corporate Carbon Footprint and Product LCAs across Scopes 1, 2 and 3
Using Vaayu’s traceability features and advanced AI technology to improve transparency and drive impact reduction
Axel Arigato is celebrated for its minimalist Scandinavian designs and building a sense of community. In late 2023, the brand partnered with Vaayu to explore a more comprehensive look at the company’s overall impact.
Using Vaayu's AI-driven technology, Axel Arigato was able to measure its full Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon footprint and conduct life cycle assessments (LCAs) on 272 of its products. The brand was then able to use the findings from these analyses to help inform its new OUR:TOMORROW mission.
Understanding the climate impact of complex retail value chains
As responsible business practice is reaching new heights, driven by consumer demand and upcoming sustainability legislation, brands are needing to commit to deeper analysis and understanding of their environmental and social impact across their businesses. Axel Arigato, like many retailers, faces the challenge of trying to truly understand the impact across multiple complex value chains, then needing to find ways to reduce their emissions in a meaningful and realistic way, all while maintaining the quality and cutting-edge design of their products.
Calculating Corporate Carbon Footprints
Vaayu calculates corporate carbon footprints for full corporate organizations following the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Standard. The GHG Protocol is the world’s leading international corporate climate reporting standard and is the foundation for all major corporate climate reporting requirements and frameworks worldwide, from the EU’s CSRD and California’s SB 253 to the Science Based Targets Initiative and the ISSB’s IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures Standard.
Vaayu’s calculation approach has been reviewed and certified by TÜV Rheinland as consistent with the GHG Protocol, which concluded that it reflected the state of the art in terms of corporate carbon calculations.
Vaayu’s approach covers all of Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (indirect electricity emissions), and — most importantly — Scope 3 (indirect upstream and downstream emissions). For retail businesses like Axel Arigato, Scope 3 emissions are typically more than 90% of their overall emissions, meaning accurate and actionable results are critical.
Vaayu’s methodology delivered this with an activity-based approach for the most critical Scope 3 categories (like purchased goods and services). This differs from conventional spend-based approaches to Scope 3, which are not only inaccurate, but provide no actionable pathways for reducing the footprint, other than spending less money.
Calculating Product Footprints via LCA
The team calculated the environmental impacts of Axel Arigato’s products over their life cycle using a “cradle-to-grave” life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, guided by international standards like ISO 14040, 14044, and 14067, and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were calculated in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), encompassing all relevant greenhouse gases. Vaayu uses IPCC conversion factors to account for different warming potentials. Water Scarcity, on the other hand, was measured in m3-world eq, representing the average cubic meter consumed worldwide. Vaayu uses AWARE characterization factors for these estimates.
The footprints covered all life cycle stages, from raw material extraction to end-of-life.
Vaayu’s calculations incorporated primary supplier-specific data and secondary data, which were combined using automated modeling, product information, and third-party data. Kria, Vaayu’s proprietary impact modeling engine and database, carried out the automated modeling. The approach prioritizes primary data where available, and secondary data was evaluated based on criteria like geographical coverage and reliability.
Calculations were based on product type, material compositions, and weight, with assumptions about typical use and end-of-life treatment. Due to the nature of LCA-based calculations, uncertainty is inherent, but Vaayu’s approach ensures a credible, science-backed estimate.
Creating a robust new baseline for Axel Arigato to reduce its impact as a business at both the company and product level
The use of Vaayu’s software is helping Axel Arigato to increase its primary data sources across its supply chain and operations, which, in turn, enhances the accuracy of its corporate carbon footprint and product footprint calculations. Now, Axel Arigato can go on to set ambitious and achievable targets across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 using science-backed, robust and credible data. To support the team to reach these targets, they will be able to use Vaayu's AI-powered climate technology for tracking and reducing emission and other impacts.
Axel Arigato’s most comprehensive corporate carbon footprint to date, informing a new sustainability strategy and company standards
Delivering life cycle assessments for Axel Arigato’s collection
Axel Arigato aims to display carbon and water data online for 100% of its products by the end of 2025, inspiring and empowering customers through awareness and education
The collaboration between Axel Arigato and Vaayu exemplifies how technology, footwear and fashion can come together to measure and address critical environmental issues. Through this partnership, Axel Arigato is proving that style and sustainability can indeed go hand in hand.