NIVEA's Vision: Climate Neutrality

Climate-Friendlier Cosmetics

The fight against climate change is humankind’s most important environmental challenge. That is why NIVEA's vision is about taking climate care and we have set ambitious climate targets on a company level that are in line with the latest climate science. These targets not only cover the significant reduction of CO2 emissions at our production sites, but also extend to the indirect emissions associated with our overall value chain such as the ingredients and packaging materials we use for our NIVEA products.

By reducing our overall emissions – along our entire value chain by 30% by 2025, compared to 2018 - NIVEA is doing its part to slow down global warming. This target is in line with the recommendations of independent scientists to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

What are Climate-Friendlier Cosmetics?

Climate-friendlier cosmetics are products that are formulated with sustainability and environmental protection in mind. The ingredients in these products are usually natural, plant-based, and free from harmful chemicals like parabens, sulphates, and synthetic fragrances. Additionally, climate-friendlier cosmetics utilise reusable or recyclable packaging, and are often produced with renewable energy. Climate-friendlier cosmetics are designed to reduce the environmental impact of personal care and beauty products while maintaining high quality and effectiveness.

How Does NIVEA Develop Climate-Friendlier Cosmetics?

The first step towards developing climate-friendlier cosmetics is to create transparency of what drives CO2 emissions. We measure the CO2 footprint of our NIVEA products by conducting life-cycle-analyses in cooperation with external experts and in line with widely accepted scientific standards. These analyses look at all greenhouse gas emissions at each stage of the product life cycle.

Based on the results of our life-cycle-analyses, we identify measures to reduce our products’ CO2 footprint. Examples include using sustainably certified ingredients or incorporating recycled material into our packaging.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE STAGES>

1 RAW MATERIAL PRODUCTION

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

2 MANUFACTURING

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

3 DISTRIBUTION

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

4 USE STAGE

The use stage describes how the product is expected to be used by the consumer. Applying our skincare products does not cause any CO2 emissions, however there are emissions associated with the use of our products, for example energy generated to heat water used to rinse off the products. Emissions generated during the use phase are outside of our control and therefore cannot be considered when neutralising the emissions of our products.

5 END OF LIFE

The end-of-life stage begins when the product and its packaging is discarded by the consumer and ends when the product is returned to the environment as waste or enters another product’s life cycle (i.e. as a recycled input).

BEYOND REDUCTION: NIVEA’S 100% CLIMATE-NEUTRALIZED SKINCARE PRODUCTS

But we go one step further; in addition to reducing the CO2-footprint, NIVEA is balancing the remaining emissions of many of your favorite products through certified climate projects, making them 100% climate-neutralized products.

In 2021, we introduced our first climate-neutralized product range: Natural Balance. Following the principle of measure, reduce and balance, we continue to expand our portfolio of 100% climate-neutralized products.

Although we managed to significantly reduce the CO2 emissions of our Naturally Good Face Care products, we wanted to go further. Therefore we decided to balance the remaining CO2 emissions by supporting the climate projects in Vichada (Colombia). Please see our project overview for more information.

NIVEA’S CLIMATE-NEUTRALIZED NATURALLY GOOD FACE CARE RANGE

NIVEA is proud to present its first climate-neutralized product range: Naturally Good Face Care. We worked hard to make sure that these products are not only naturally good for your skin but, as a more eco-friendly skincare product, also gentler on the environment.

- The folding boxes we use are made from up to 89.6% recycled paper, which helps preserve precious natural resources.
- Our formulas contain 99% naturally derived ingredients, as well as caring oils and extracts from organic agriculture.
- The production of our recyclable plastic jars pioneers the combined use of plant-based and fossil fuel-based materials. Although production does not run entirely on plant-based materials yet, we guarantee that the equivalent amount needed for our jars is integrated into the process. This is verified and guaranteed by the independent ISCC Plus certification.
- 100% of the electricity we use to produce our face care formulas come from renewable sources.

EXPLORE OUR CLIMATE-NEUTRALIZED SHOWER RANGE

Our new NIVEA Shower products are even more sustainable than before:

- Formulated with skin protecting oils and vitamins that are free from microplastics and 98% biodegradable. 100% of the palm(kernel)-oil based ingredients used are sustainably sourced.
- The bottles are 25% lighter than before and made from 97% recycled PE (opaque bottles) or PET (transparent bottles) plastic. And lighter packaging also means fewer transport emissions. These improvements lead to an overall reduction of the packaging related emissions of -32 %*, based on a comparison of the new and current 250ml bottle.
- The range is manufactured in our production center in Berlin that has been running solely on electricity from renewable sources and biogas since 2022.
- The remaining CO2 emissions of our shower assortment will be balanced by supporting the climate projects in Northern Kenya. Please see our project overview for more information.

*32% less CO2 emissions by the use of recycled plastic. Compared to previous packaging made from virgin plastic.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NEW CLIMATE-NEUTRALISED NIVEA DEO STICKS - with a more sustainable formula and packaging

- The new lightweight-packaging saves 17% plastic* compared to the previous packaging. The lighter packaging also reduces the transport related CO2 emissions.
- The usage of the new monomaterial packaging leads to a 98% recyclability** - thus minimizing the environmental impact of the product at the end of its life.
- These improvements lead to an overall reduction of packaging related CO2 emissions of 24%***.
- Like all NIVEA products in Europe since 2021, the new emulsion is a microplastic-free formula
- All NIVEA Deo sticks were produced using 100% renewable energy
- The remaining CO2-emissions of the stick assortment will be balanced by supporting the climate projects in Guanaré (Uruguay). Please see our project overview for more information

*disclaimer1: per ml compared to previous NIVEA deodorant sticks
**disclaimer2: in those countries where the recycling infrastructure is in place
*** disclaimer3: compared to previous NIVEA deodorant sticks

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR CLIMATE-NEUTRALIZED NIVEA SOFT

The formula of NIVEA Soft now contains 95% naturally derived ingredients and it is 98% biodegradable. In addition, our formula is produced with 100% electricity from renewable sources. Thanks to the new formula, the carbon footprint of NIVEA Soft has been significantly reduced: at least 40% CO2 emissions reduction related to our ingredients, compared to our previous formula at least 20% CO2 emissions reduction at total product level. The remaining CO2 emissions of NIVEA Soft will be balanced by supporting the reforestation climate project in Paraguay. Please see our project overview for more information.

HOW NIVEA SUPPORTS NATURAL CO2 ABSORPTION

In 2022, we are opening a new chapter in NIVEA’s Climate Care journey, by supporting certified climate projects, which support CO2 absorption in a natural way, for example through afforestation. When we select climate projects, we ensure that our positive impact is real, measurable, permanent, and third-party verified. This is achieved by working with expert organizations and supporting only projects which are certified and regularly audited based on external international standards, such as the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or the Gold Standard.

DISCOVER OUR CLIMATE PROTECTION PROJECTS

Planting trees along with capturing and storing carbon dioxide is one of the most straightforward contributions to fight climate change. But these climate projects do more: they create employment opportunities, increase the quality of life for the most vulnerable and bring back biodiversity. Three of our current forest regeneration projects are in South America.

Guanaré Forest Restoration in Uruguay

For more than 300 years, the project’s rehabilitation sites in Guanaré have been grassland for cattle. The rural landscape of eastern Uruguay has been characterized by the livestock industry. Few job opportunities, precarious working conditions, a diminishing biodiversity. The Guanaré Forest project helps planting primarily eucalyptus tree species; 21.000 hectares and over 1,000 seed lines per hectare. This will establish sustainable woodlots throughout the grasslands, with remaining pastures for the cattle. The newly restored woodland habitat brings biodiversity back, helps to develop a sustainable timber industry (FSC standard) and contributes to better regional development.

Find out more

Reforestation Paraguay:

For nearly 500 years, Paraguay has used much of its grasslands and prairies for cattle farming; with the main export of the country being high-quality beef. As deforestation continues to sweep through the Amazon rainforest, it has become vital to reforest such areas of expansive, degraded grasslands to relieve pressure on South America's natural resources and curb harmful carbon emissions from the Earth's atmosphere. Based in eastern Paraguay, the project has already reforested more than 2,700 hectares of land, with over 1,100 hectares to be established in the coming years. It also helps local, underserved communities in Paraguay by creating fair employment, wages, and training for workers, opportunities for women to strengthen gender equality, and improved infrastructure.

Find out more

Vichada – Colombia:

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

Find out more

Sustainable grassland management in northern Kenya

Carbon is not only stored in forests all around the world, but also in healthy soils, which take up water and become the basis for thriving vegetation and habitats for countless species. However, this natural balance is disturbed when land is used continuously and in an unrestricted way for grazing of livestock. This is where our climate project across 2 million hectares in Northern Kenya starts. By establishing more sustainable, rotating grazing practices, the soil has time to recover and remain healthy. A small change with significant effects for climate protection and the wellbeing of local communities: Through more carbon stored in the soil, the land can also store more water through dry periods, which will in turn help local communities to address the effects of climate change and drought.

From a biodiversity perspective, improved grassland and better-quality grazing will also lead to healthier livestock and ecosystems, as well as habitats for the local wildlife, which includes four endemic endangered species – the Eastern black rhino, Grevy’s zebra, the Reticulated giraffe and the Beisa oryx.

In terms of livelihoods for the local communities, the funding of this project will help diversify community income, employing staff, buying supplies and supporting specific needs of the conservancies it is implemented in - including clean water, education, and infrastructure projects such as school dormitories, housing for teachers, providing water infrastructure, building and maintaining healthcare facilities.

Find out more

CLIMATE-NEUTRAL OPERATIONS BY 2030

Our commitment to protecting our planet and our communities also extends to the way we produce NIVEA skincare at our production sites. Since the end of 2019, all our NIVEA production facilities have been running completely on electricity from renewable sources. This commitment has significantly reduced our energy-related CO2 emissions. However, we are looking to reduce our carbon footprint even further with the overall goal of achieving climate-neutral operations by 2030.

ONE SKIN. ONE PLANET. ONE CARE.

We want to be 100 percent transparent and answer all your questions about sustainability at NIVEA. If you could not find all the answers you were looking for on this website, or are looking for more detailed information, please visit the sustainability website of NIVEA’s parent company, Beiersdorf.