INDITEX Group

Strategic Environmental Plan 2007-2010

At Inditex, we believe sustainable growth is a strategic value. Thanks to this vision, we are constantly checking the processes involved in our business model and analysing the ecological and evironmental efficiency of all the areas to determine where improvements are needed and how these can be made.

This is the starting point of Inditex’s Strategic Environmental Plan 2007-2010. The general objectives are as follows:

To reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
To increase the implantation of renewable energy sources.
To maximise the efficient use of energy in manufacturing areas.
To train the staff and raise their awareness.

The Strategic Environmental Plan 2007-2010 is divided into five specific projects:

Sustainable Store (Store Sustainability System)

The stores are the essence of our business and consume the greatest amounts of energy. Our objective is to develop criteria for sustainability and the efficient use of energy within these through three main fields of action:

Ecoefficent store model: Inditex, in conjunction with the University of Vigo, is designing an ecoscientific store model. The lighting equipment will be changed to suit the model designed, and preference will be given to equipment that offers high efficiency and low energy consumption.
Sustainability of Containers and Wrapping: This area includes the ecological certification of all bags used by the Group, (using international standards such as FSC or PEFC) and the use of biodegradable materials in all plastic bags. It also covers all store waste management, which is carried out, by authorized agents and the reuse and recycling of materials, such as cardboard boxes, hangers and computer-generated waste.
To train and raise the awareness of all store personnel as regards everyday environmental impacts.

Inditex’s Pro-Kyoto Project

Logistics operation is one of Inditex’s pre-eminent business values. To this respect, our commitment to sustainability, climatic change and the Kyoto agreement is specifically focused on the reduction of greenhouse gases generated by transportation, and this is done in four different ways:

An up-to-date fleet and training courses on fuel-efficient driving: this Project is the result of a work plan carried out in conjunction with our logistic suppliers and means that all vehicles belonging to the Zara fleet must comply with the European Commission’s EURO 5 regulation (the most exacting regulation governing the requirements for the emission of nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, particles and fumes) and which will come into effect in 2009, putting Inditex a good two years ahead. This also includes a training course on fuel-efficient driving for members of staff.
Electrically powered eco-vehicles will be used in factories and logistics centres to replace the older petrol–run fleet.
A programme to train all personnel and raise awareness through the Manual for Good Practices in Transportation and Sustainable Mobility.

Energy and Environmental Integration Project (IEMA):

This Project aims to implant renewable energy sources, such as eolic and photothermal and photovoltaic solar energy in the logistic installations, in addition to maximum reductions in the amount of energy consumed.

Inditex’s installations in Arteixo (A Coruña), which hold the headquarters of the Group itself, as well as those of Zara, Zara Home and Kiddy’s Class, the logistic centre and 11 textile factories, has implanted a new integrated energy system that includes a 5,000 kw cogeneration plant, a 1,500 square foot photothermal solar installation, and an 850 kw wind generator. This system covers more than 50% of the energy needs at Arteixo.

At the moment, the Group aims to carry out similar ventures in the rest of its head offices. The plan is comprised the following:

Photovoltaic solar installations in the logistic centres located in Meco (Madrid), Zaragoza and León, and in the Group’s headquarters in Tordera (Barcelona) and Elche (Alicante).
Minimize carbon monoxide emissions by employing natural gas to replace the gas-oil used for heating and for the production of steam when ironing in Arteixo and Sallent (Barcelona).
A new cogeneration plant in Tordera (when compared to a conventional system, this reduces the emission of CO2 by 64%; nitrogen oxide by 73%, sulphur by 99%, and that of solid particles is reduced to zero).
Raising awareness and promoting the use of renewable energy sources through the Energy Web.

The Carbon Footprint Project. An Analysis of the Life Cycle of Textile.

The carbon footprint is the extent to why any activity damages the environment. Our objective is to discover the carbon footprint of our manufacturing processes so that we can take action to combat this. This project is being carried out in collaboration with the University of Santiago de Compostela.

The Terra Project, the end of the cycle.

Inditex considers tree planting to be another way to bring the energy/CO2 cycle to an end. Our objective is to create the forest mass needed to absorb 100% of the emissions generated by the consumption of electricity at the central office in Arteixo, although the site of this forest has still to be chosen.

Corporate Responsibility