ISBJÖRN of Sweden’s Strategic Sustainability Work

Since its founding in 2005, ISBJÖRN of Sweden has demonstrated that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. Our vision is to lead our industry with slow fashion and circular business models, making us the obvious choice for conscious families. As a pioneer in sustainable performance wear for children and youth, we aim to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2045.

Our Path to Net Zero 2045

• 2021: Establishment of climate calculations
• 2030: 100% circular business model
• 2033: 50% reduction in CO2 emissions
• 2045: Net Zero CO2 emissions

Today, 99.3% of our emissions come from Scope 3, which includes material procurement, production, transport, and packaging. We actively work to reduce these emissions through innovation and collaboration throughout our entire value chain.

ISBJÖRN and the UN’s 2030 Agenda

Our sustainability efforts are strongly linked to the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the global goals. Some of the most relevant goals we work towards include:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being – We inspire young families to spend time in nature together and create clothing that enables an active and healthy outdoor life for children and parents.
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – We implement a circular business model, minimize waste, and design sustainable products.
• Goal 13: Climate Action – We work to reduce our CO2 emissions through material choices, transportation, and energy efficiency.
• Goal 15: Life on Land – We choose environmentally friendly materials that support forest conservation and biodiversity.

Slow Fashion and Circular Economy in Practice

For us, slow fashion is a fundamental principle that forms the foundation of our business, setting us apart from fast fashion in every way. We only release two collections per year, optimizing design and material choices to ensure durability and ease of repair. All outerwear features expandable cuffs on both sleeves and legs, allowing garments to grow with the child. This makes each purchase a long-term investment, allowing customers to use the garment for multiple seasons, pass it down to younger siblings, or resell it on the secondhand market.

Between 80-90% of our products are carry-over items from season to season, where we apply incremental improvements (Kaizen) to our garments and collections.

Our focus is on continuously increasing the proportion of recycled fibers in our garments and replacing synthetic materials with natural alternatives wherever possible. Examples include recycled wool and Tencel®.

By adhering to a clear slow fashion concept, we not only minimize our own financial risks and inventory management but also those of our retailers. We also reduce waste from potential misjudgments of new models and the need for clearance sales of old collections. Finally, this benefits our customers when they choose to resell their garments, as they know exactly what they are buying.

Our Circular Business Model Includes:

• ISBJÖRN Re.Explore – our initiative for second-hand and repairs.
• Partnerships with platforms like Tradera – to extend the lifecycle of garments.
• Collaboration with NinYes – a specialist in resale and repurchase of pre-owned clothing.

Materials and Chemicals

We use over 98% bluesign®-certified materials and have been free from PFOA/PFOS since 2016. Our goals for 2030 include:

• Transitioning to fiber-to-fiber recycled polyester (PES) and polyamide (PA).
• Using recycled wool and FSC-certified bamboo.
• Incorporating biodegradable fiber-to-fiber recycled polyester.
• Increasing the use of Tencel®, an environmentally friendly natural material with low environmental impact.

Repairs and Extended Product Lifespan

Currently, our claims rate is below 1% of all sold products. However, when an issue arises, it is important for us to repair rather than discard and replace with new items. We offer smart repair services that minimize time, shipping costs, and CO2 emissions. We encourage our customers to repair their garments by:

• Providing smart repair kits.
• Utilizing local tailors.
• Fully reimbursing customers for repair costs in the case of approved claims.

Transport and Logistics

Our goal is to minimize climate impact from transportation:

• As early as 2019, we transitioned to 100% rail transport.
• Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, our short-term solution is sea freight.
• In the long term, our goal is to return to solely using rail transport.
• In 2024, we introduced Net Zero CO2 packaging for e-commerce customer deliveries.
• Our plan is to also replace all packaging for warehouse and B2B deliveries.

Production

Both our sourcing and production have been based in China for several years. This decision is driven by the high availability of advanced materials and expertise in technical garments, making it the most cost-efficient choice. Like most textile brands, a significant portion of our carbon emissions stem from Scope 3, making it crucial for us to influence our manufacturers to transition to green energy.

As a relatively small player compared to major fashion houses, we cannot rely on sheer volume to exert influence. Instead, we have focused on long-term partnerships with suppliers who fully understand and appreciate our brand’s sustainability ambitions. Through this approach, we have established a shared vision for the future. In 2025, we will visit a newly built green factory for the first time, developed by one of our longest-standing partners.

Our Responsibility and Future Challenges

We fully support the EU Green Deal and recognize the need for:

• A global infrastructure for recycling and standardization.
• Stricter enforcement of regulations and potential sanctions for compliance.
• Clearer rewards for companies that adhere to the EU Green Deal.
• Shifts in consumer behavior towards more sustainable choices.

Sustainability is a journey, and we take our responsibility through innovation, transparency, and by inspiring others to make a difference. Ultimately, it all starts with us.

Thank you for joining us on this journey at ISBJÖRN <3