Customer Services

Customer Services

CO2 Footprint

 

Measuring CO2 is how we turn “responsibility” into something real, comparable, and improvable.

AKU’s CO2 Footprint work is a measured, verified approach to understanding where emissions occur across the life of a pair of boots or shoes — and where reduction actions will make the biggest difference. It’s not a slogan. It’s a system: measure → understand → improve.

  • Product footprint: CO2e calculated across the lifecycle of specific models (from materials to end-of-life).
  • Organisation footprint: CO2e assessed across the whole company (Scopes 1–3) to target high-impact areas.
  • Supply chain focus: where materials are made is often the biggest driver — so measurement helps direct meaningful action.
What this means for you

Clearer, more credible environmental information — and a brand strategy built around durability, repairability and long-term use, not short-lived consumption.
In plain English

“CO2 footprint” is the total greenhouse gas impact expressed as CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent). It’s the standard way to add up different greenhouse gases into one meaningful figure — so improvements can be tracked over time.
CO2 Footprint explained
 
A short walkthrough of how AKU measures emissions across the product lifecycle — and why the supply chain often matters most.
What is a CO2 footprint?
 

A CO2 footprint (often written as CO2e) is the total greenhouse gas impact associated with something — expressed in one comparable number. For footwear, that includes emissions linked to materials, manufacturing, transport, and what happens at the end of the product’s life.
How AKU measures it (so it stays credible)
 
Product footprint (per model)

AKU calculates the carbon footprint of individual products using a structured lifecycle method aligned to ISO standards. That means the footprint is built from real bill-of-materials detail — not a generic guess.

Why it matters

When the footprint is based on component weights and material composition, improvements can be targeted precisely — for example by changing a material, reducing waste, or improving supplier data quality.
Organisation footprint (Scopes 1–3)

Alongside product-by-product work, AKU analyses emissions across the entire organisation, including Scope 3 (the wider value chain). This typically shows that the supply chain can be the largest impact area — so supplier collaboration becomes essential.

  • Scope 1: direct emissions (company-controlled sources).
  • Scope 2: purchased energy.
  • Scope 3: value chain emissions (materials, transport, end-of-life, etc.).
What’s included in a footwear footprint?
 

Think of it as the story of a boot told in three chapters — before it exists, while it’s being made, and after it leaves the factory.

Upstream
Materials and components: leather, fabrics, laces, soles, foams, glues, packaging — plus the data behind them (composition, weight, recycled content where applicable).
Core
Manufacturing and internal operations: energy and water use, waste, and transport of materials into the factory.
Downstream
Distribution to markets, typical use considerations, and end-of-life pathways (repair, re-use, disposal).
What AKU does with the data (reduction, not theatre)
 

Measuring is only useful if it leads to decisions. AKU uses footprint work to highlight the biggest levers — often in the materials and supply chain — and to build supplier projects that can be improved and repeated.

  • Better material data: improved supplier information makes the calculation more accurate — and reveals where design changes help most.
  • Process improvements: streamlining internal operations remains important, but footprint studies often show why upstream work is essential.
  • Long-life philosophy: durability, correct care and repair extend product life — typically the most customer-visible way to reduce “impact per year of use”.
A practical customer takeaway

The easiest “low CO2” win is often keeping good boots going: clean them, dry them naturally, refresh protection when needed, and repair when appropriate. That’s why AKU supports care guidance and UK repair routes.
CO2 Footprint FAQs
 
Is “CO2 footprint” the same as sustainability?
Not by itself. CO2e focuses on greenhouse gas impact. Sustainability also includes durability, chemical management, animal welfare, labour standards and traceability. But CO2e is a critical piece because it can be measured, tracked and reduced with clear targets.
Why does the supply chain matter so much?
Footwear is component-heavy. A big share of emissions can sit in materials and their processing. Measuring properly shows where collaboration with suppliers can drive meaningful reduction — without compromising technical reliability.
What can I do as a customer?
Use your footwear for longer: correct drying (no direct heat), periodic protection/conditioning, and repair when appropriate. Extending product life typically reduces “impact per year of use” and keeps performance where it should be.
Where can I get UK repair support?
For UK repairs and resoling guidance, use Lancashire Sports Repairs.