Decathlon Group
At a Glance
Industry
Retail and Apparel
Project Types
Clean and Renewable Energy, Supply Chain
Year
2023
Location
Guangzhou, Guangdong
Summary
Yaxin Hu helped Decathlon push forward with biomass sustainability certification and renewable energy transformation.
Goals
Decathlon, a world's leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of sporting goods, are challenged with reducing the GHG emissions from raw material extraction and production. In order for zero coal consumption, Decathlon enlisted Yaxin Hu to survey biomass sustainability certifications in China, assess the potential of biomass as an alternative energy resource and seek ways to stop coal use.
Solutions
Hu approached the challenge using a three-part process:
- Investigate biomass sustainability certification schemes in China area. The availability, reputation and fees of schemes are analyzed to help select the most appropriate one. After the comparison of quotes and services offered by different certification bodies, Hu has recommended three bodies as Decathlon’s partners.
- Access biomass energy transition potential of suppliers in different cities. Local politics, heat demands and biomass resources are investigated to estimate transition potential of several suppliers with the highest emissions.
- Discuss more effective ways to reduce coal use and emissions. Through a simple model simulation, it is concluded that improving processes and energy efficiency also effectively reduce coal use for suppliers limited by bioenergy policies.
Potential Impact
Yaxin Hu provides Decathlon with appropriate certification schemes and bodies. The implementation of certification program will ensure the sustainability of suppliers' heat use from biomass burning. Assessment results of biomass energy transition potential will help suppliers set scientific targets for the future energy saving and emission reductions. These works will push forward achieving Decathlon's zero-coal-consumption goal, strengthening social influence, and better meeting the challenges of climate change.