Inditex relying on air freight to avoid shipping delays, despite climate pledges
"Inditex boosts fast fashion flights from India to avoid shipping delays"
Zara owner Inditex has sharply increased its use of air freight to bring clothes from factories in India to its logistics hub in Spain to avoid shipping delays, according to trade data, industry experts, and investors.
The shift raises questions about how the world's biggest listed fast-fashion retailer is progressing towards its target of slashing by half its "Scope 3", or indirect, emissions, as air transport produces significantly higher carbon emissions than shipping.
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Inditex sent 3,865 consignments by air from India in the 12 months to end-August this year, a 37% increase on the previous year, according to a Reuters analysis of shipment records from trade data provider Import Genius.
Of that number, 3,352 were sent since January 1 – after attacks on container ships in the Red Sea ratcheted up.
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In response to Reuters' questions about the air freight data, Inditex said it uses sea freight for the "vast majority" of products from Asia, but in exceptional circumstances such as the Red Sea crisis, it can use other modes of transport.
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An Inditex spokesperson said the company is working hard to reduce emissions through measures like alternative fuels, optimising routes, and occupancy levels.
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