Our vision:
Net Zero 2045

ONE SKIN. ONE PLANET. ONE CARE.

Our vision: Net Zero 2045

Our vision for 2045 recognises that tackling climate change is one of the most important environmental challenges the world is facing. To play our part, we have set company‑wide climate targets that are in line with a 1.5°C pathway. These targets are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across our operations and throughout our value chain.

Our climate strategy includes cutting emissions at our production sites as well as addressing indirect emissions linked to other stages of the product life cycle, such as sourcing ingredients and packaging materials.

How do we develop products with a lower climate impact?

Understanding the greenhouse gas emissions linked to our products is an important step in spotting opportunities to improve. We assess the carbon footprint of our products by carrying out life cycle analyses together with external experts and using internationally recognised methods.

These assessments look at the relevant greenhouse gas emissions at every stage of a product’s life cycle. The results help us find ways to reduce the carbon footprint – for example by sourcing certified ingredients where it makes sense and by increasing the share of recycled materials in our packaging.

Learn more about
THE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE STAGES

RAW MATERIAL PRODUCTION

The life cycle starts when resources are taken from the environment and processed further. This stage ends when product components arrive at our NIVEA production sites.

MANUFACTURING

The production stage begins when the product components enter our production sites and ends when the finished product leaves our production facility.

DISTRIBUTION

Products are distributed to users and may be stored at different points along the supply chain. The distribution stage includes transport from the factory gate to warehouses or stores as well as the journey to the consumer's home.

USE STAGE

The use stage describes how the product is expected to be used by the consumer. Applying our skincare products itself does not cause any CO₂ emissions. However, there are emissions linked to using our products – for example, the energy needed to heat water to rinse products off. Emissions generated during the use phase are outside our control and therefore cannot be taken into account when neutralising the emissions of our products.

END OF LIFE

The end‑of‑life stage begins when the product and its packaging are thrown away by the consumer and ends when the product returns to the environment as waste or becomes part of another product's life cycle (for example, as recycled material).

NIVEA Soft

Millions of people around the world love NIVEA Soft for its light texture and pleasant skin feel. By carefully reviewing the greenhouse gas emissions linked to the product and making targeted improvements, the current vegan formula has a 28% lower carbon footprint* than the previous version – without compromising the product experience consumers enjoy.

NIVEA Deo stick

Another example is our deodorant sticks. Compact, easy to carry and convenient for on‑the‑go use, they are a practical choice for everyday life. At the same time, deodorant sticks can have a significantly lower carbon footprint per application – by up to 68%* compared with aerosol deodorants – helping consumers make a more sustainable choice without compromising on effective protection.

*Based on a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted by an external partner in accordance with ISO 14040/14044, including independent critical review. Results are based on the Environmental Footprint (EF) method (European Commission, JRC), Climate change indicator (GWP100).

In the past, we have climate‑neutralised some products by supporting certified climate projects. These projects supported natural CO2 absorption, for example through afforestation. Working together with expert organisations, we only chose projects that were certified and regularly audited based on external standards such as the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or the Gold Standard.

Please take a look at our climate protection projects for more information:

Guanaré Forest Restoration in Uruguay:

For more than 300 years, the project’s rehabilitation sites in Guanaré have been grassland used for cattle. The rural landscape of eastern Uruguay has been shaped by the livestock industry: few job opportunities, precarious working conditions and declining biodiversity. The Guanaré Forest project supports the planting of mainly eucalyptus tree species – 21,000 hectares and over 1,000 seed lines per hectare. This will create sustainable woodlots across the grasslands, while keeping pastures for cattle. The newly restored woodland habitat brings biodiversity back, helps build a sustainable timber industry (FSC standard) and supports stronger regional development.

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Reforestation Paraguay:

For nearly 500 years, much of Paraguay’s grasslands and prairies have been used for cattle farming, with high‑quality beef as the country’s main export. As deforestation continues across the Amazon rainforest, it has become vital to reforest large, degraded grassland areas to relieve pressure on South America’s natural resources and cut harmful carbon emissions from the atmosphere. Based in eastern Paraguay, the project has already reforested more than 2,700 hectares of land, with over 1,100 additional hectares to follow in the coming years. It also supports local, underserved communities in Paraguay by creating fair employment, wages and training for workers, providing opportunities for women to strengthen gender equality and improving infrastructure.

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VICHADA – COLOMBIA:

The project is located in the incredibly biodiverse Orinoco River basin, which contains two ecosystems that are critically endangered by deforestation. The Puerto Carreño project aims to create a commercially viable alternative to extensive cattle ranching, which has left much of the area degraded. By increasing forest cover in the region, carbon is absorbed and stored and sustainable timber is produced. Under the guidance of local experts, almost 200 local employees plant, maintain and harvest carefully selected native tree species across 3,000 hectares. The project has transformed how the land is used, turning it back into a healthy carbon sink.

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Sustainable grassland management in Northern Kenya

Carbon is stored not only in forests around the world, but also in healthy soils that absorb water and provide the basis for thriving vegetation and habitats for countless species. However, this natural balance is disturbed when land is used continuously and without limits for grazing livestock. This is where our climate project across 2 million hectares in Northern Kenya comes in. By introducing more sustainable, rotating grazing practices, the soil has time to recover and stay healthy. It’s a small change with big benefits for climate protection and the wellbeing of local communities: when more carbon is stored in the soil, the land can also hold more water during dry periods, which in turn helps local communities deal with the effects of climate change and drought.

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One skin. ONE PLANET. ONE CARE.

We’re committed to giving you clear, transparent information about sustainability at NIVEA. If you’d like to learn more about our commitments, targets and progress, please visit the sustainability website of NIVEA's parent company, Beiersdorf.