The UN SDGs - Global Goals for Sustainable Development

The 17 global goals for sustainable development of the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are aimed at everyone: governments worldwide, but also civil society, the private sector and academia. Dibella contributes to the implementation of the SDGs through its actions.

SDG 1 - No Poverty

Commitment of 100% of producers to pay fair wages.
Commitment of all relevant suppliers to use GMO-free seeds in cotton cultivation in order to avoid, among other things, the financial dependence of cotton farmers on expensive hybrids.
Pre-financing of organic seeds and purchase guarantee for Indian cotton farmers within the Chetna Organic Cooperative quantity?
In cooperation with the non-profit organisation Chetna Organics, extensive training programme for approx. 5,000 Indian cotton farmers, among other things to secure further sources of income and independence for the farmers.

SDG 2 - No Hunger

Commitment of 100% of the producers to pay fair wages in order to secure a livelihood for the workers and their families.
In cooperation with the non-profit organisation Chetna Organics, extensive training programme for approx. 5,000 Indian cotton farmers on food cultivation, among other things, and thus on the self-sufficiency of the farmers.
Both GOTS and CmiA certify only cotton whose cultivation guarantees biodiversity, among other things. This supports the preservation of soil fertility for agricultural use in food cultivation.

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being

Commitment of 100% of our suppliers to the exclusive use of ZDHC-compliant substances to avoid human and environmental toxicological effects in the production process.
Commitment of 100% of our suppliers to at least comply with Standard 100 by OEKO TEX, product class II.
As part of a PPP project, a Pakistani supplier was supported in the preparation and implementation of STeP certification until 2019. Among other things, training was provided on chemical management, for example:
- Handling PPE (personal protective equipment)
- Health & Safety (workplace, machinery)
Within the framework of our GoodTextiles Foundation, various health-promoting measures were initiated within the scope of several projects. These measures include, for example, clean drinking water, handling of waste, creation of sanitary facilities.
At our head office, we provide our employees with free water and a large, healthy fruit and vegetable basket once a week. We also provide regular training on various workplace health exercises, promote workplace eyewear and offer all staff the option of a job bike. We currently equip workstations with desks that can be flexibly converted to standing height, if required. In addition, we offer various part-time models for an optimal work-life balance.

SDG 4 - Quality education

In cooperation with the non-profit organisation Chetna Organics, Dibella has initiated a unique support programme for approximately 2,000 school children in the Indian province of Adilabad:
- Equipping classrooms and dormitories
- Support for the employment of teachers
- Modernisation of sanitary facilities
- Installation of a solar system
- Installation of a drinking water filter system
- Provision of bicycles
As a founding member of the MaxTex association, Dibella actively supports the development of seminars on sustainability issues and promotes the exchange of different stakeholders
Comprehensive further training opportunities are available to employees at the head office

SDG 5 - Gender equality

Dibella, in cooperation with the non-profit organisation Chetna Organics, has initiated a unique support programme for girls of school age in the province of Adilabad
Construction/equipment of a girls' school and furnishing of classrooms
Equipment with desks and benches, among other things
Equipping the girls with bicycles so that they can travel to school.
The sanitary facilities, a total of 46 toilets, were completely modernised PLUS the number of sanitary facilities in mixed schools.
Dibella communicates a Code of Labour Practices to 100% of suppliers, which lists and explains the prohibition of discrimination
Ensure TC contracts and other individual contract models
Currently, the proportion of women among our employees is approximately 64

SDG 6 - Clean water and sanitation

In cooperation with the non-profit organisation Chetna Organics, Dibella has initiated a unique support programme for school children in the Indian province of Adilabad and installed filter systems for clean drinking water.
The use of organic cotton and the associated ban on the use of pesticides counteract groundwater pollution.
A good 95% of our products have GOTS or STeP certification. Both standards prohibit the use of hazardous chemicals and test, among other things, the ph-value of the waste water in the factories. In addition, 95% of suppliers treat wastewater so that harmful substances are not discharged into groundwater or the sea.

SDG 7 - Affordable and clean energy

In cooperation with the non-profit organisation Chetna Organics, Dibella has initiated a unique support programme for school children in the Indian province of Adilabad and ensures a continuous power supply through the installation of a solar system.
A solar system was installed on an area of 400-600 square metres at a strategically important supplier as part of a PPP project. The use of resource-saving machinery is a requirement of the STeP certification that was also carried out.
Best practice guideline on the use of renewable energy in production facilities distributed to 100% of suppliers
The Dibella headquarters in the Netherlands has no fossil fuel heating system. Cooling and heating is provided by air/heat pumps. The electricity required for this comes 100% from renewable energies or from the company's own photovoltaic system.

SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth

Dibella works closely with the Indian Chetna Cooperative, an association of micro-farmers from about 50 villages. These farmers cultivate cotton sustainably. In turn, fixed purchase quantities, fair prices and premiums ensure the farmers' basic income. In addition, there are investments in education.
Dibella is one of the nominees for the German Sustainability Award for Corporate Partnerships 2019.
Almost all Dibella suppliers have a valid social audit. Accepted are: SA800, WCA, BSCI as well as STeP.
Communication of the Dibella Code of Conduct, which is based on the ILO core labour standards, to 100% of suppliers.
Internal Code of Conduct to communicate Dibella's commitment, requirements and obligations.
At Dibella headquarters, employees work exclusively on permanent contracts.

SDG 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure

The Chetna cooperative tests various organic cotton seeds for resistance to drought and flooding in the experimental fields.
Expansion of infrastructure by providing bicycles to school children from the rural areas of the cotton farmers to overcome the long distances between their homes and the location of the school.
(Expansion) of schools to support education in those communities of Indian smallholder farmers from whom the organic cotton is purchased.
Dibella is a founding member of the MaxTex association.
Since 2018, member of the expert group "Sustainable man-made fibres" of the Alliance for Sustainable Textiles.
Dibella has introduced an idea management system at the company site. Flat hierarchies encourage every employee to contribute with suggestions for improvement at any time

SDG 10 - Reduce inequalities

Dibella works closely with the Indian Chetna Cooperative, an association of micro-farmers from about 50 villages. These farmers cultivate cotton sustainably. In turn, fixed purchase quantities, fair prices and premiums ensure the farmers' basic income. In addition, there are investments in education.

SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

Dibella works closely with the Indian Chetna Cooperative, an association of micro-farmers from about 50 villages. They cultivate cotton sustainably and, in accordance with GOTS, refrain from using genetically modified seeds, artificial fertilisers and pesticides. Conversely, fixed purchase quantities, fair prices and premiums secure the farmers' basic income. In addition, there are investments in education, such as training in organic farming, which also contribute to an increase in the standard of living.
At the headquarters site, Dibella is locally committed to the common good. In addition to involvement in various local projects, the second Dibella flower meadow was planted at the beginning of 2022.

SDG 12 - Sustainable consumption and production

Our company is certified according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. This is because we want to give our customers a demonstrable promise of quality and environmental protection.
Dibella creates awareness of the issue of sustainability along the entire value chain up to the consumer of the textiles, the hotel guest.
Thanks to the non-profit GoodTextiles Foundation (LINK) founded by Dibella, socially and ecologically committed hotel guests and entrepreneurs can get involved in sustainable projects within the textile value chain. It promotes ecological and social projects within the textile value chain with specially established funds. The funds are to be financed by donations, to which committed guests and responsible entrepreneurs are called upon. Folding cards to be placed in the guest rooms refer to the foundation and explain the objectives of the current activities. The folding cards are handed out free of charge by Dibella to rental service customers, who pass them on to their customers in the hotel and restaurant industry.

SDG 13 - Climate action

Organic cotton used emits up to approx. 50% less greenhouse gas emissions for one kilogram of cotton than conventional cotton
CmiA cotton emits up to 40% less greenhouse gas emissions for one kilogram of cotton than conventional cotton.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, suppliers are prohibited from transporting goods from the production sites by air and may only do so in an emergency and with prior approval from Dibella.
Compensation of CO2 emissions from transport by suppliers
The Dibella Forest (see SDG 15) creates a species-rich forest with up to 10,000 trees. After only five years, they will reduce up to 80 tonnes of CO2 and after ten years up to 310 tonnes of the harmful greenhouse gas.
The vehicle fleet comprises 10 vehicles, of which 2 are hybrid vehicles and 2 are plug-in vehicles. In March 2018, a plug-in vehicle was replaced by a pure electric car. The electric car and the plug-in vehicles are charged via the in-house solar system.
Dibella's "Fleet Policy" states that CO2 emissions of 120g/km must not be exceeded. As technical improvements are made and become available (especially for the sales team's vehicles), these levels will be further reduced. The average CO2 consumption was 105g/km.
Through carpooling, 2601 km of travel were saved. 7,511 km were also covered by bicycle to work. This is a significant improvement compared to the previous year, when 527 km were saved by carpooling and 5,083 km were cycled to work (2019).
100% compensation of car and air travel
No heating system with fossil fuels (see SDG 7).
Since January 2015, Dibella offers the calculation of carbon dioxide emissions of used raw materials on request. The climate calculator enables the comparison of the climate impact between conventional products and those made from sustainable raw materials.

SDG 14 - Life below water

Dibella only sources cotton grown with rainwater irrigation. X-% share GOTS 2018 & CMiA
Dibella Forest (see SDG 15) is irrigated exclusively with drip irrigation to regulate water use
A good 95% of our products have GOTS or STeP certification. Both standards prohibit the use of hazardous chemicals and test, among other things, the ph-value of the waste water in the factories. In addition, 95% of suppliers treat wastewater so that harmful substances are not discharged into groundwater or the sea.
90% of the laundries that Dibella works with have filtration systems that capture micro-particles (< 5mm) produced in the industrial washing process.
Currently, polyester accounts for approximately 30% of the fibre content of our total product range. In order to reduce micro-particles and thus the impact on the environment, the goal is to continuously reduce the fibre content.

SDG 15 - Life on land

Since 2018, the biodiverse Dibella Forest has been established on an area of 8.5 hectares in Nachikuppam, India. A fallow area is being forested by a smallholder family. After completion of the preparatory work, 4,000 tree seedlings have already been planted. Within the planned project duration of ten years, another one thousand young trees are to be added each year. For companies, there is a climate protection participation model: donate 10 € - plant a tree - offset CO2.
The use of organic cotton or certified cotton supports the preservation of biodiversity by ensuring crop rotation. In addition, soil pollution is counteracted.
The cellulose for the TENCEL™ fibers used comes from wood from FSC-certified plantations that are based on sustainable forestry.

SDG 16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

At the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Dibella supported refugees from Ukraine with immediate measures. Several tonnes of aid were brought to the Polish border region for further distribution.

SDG 17 - Partnership for the goals

Member of the Alliance for Sustainable Textiles since 2015. As part of its membership, Dibella has been a member of the Sustainable Man-Made Fibres Expert Group since 2018. The aim is to develop minimum requirements for the sourcing of sustainable man-made fibres.
Founding member of the MaxTex Association for Sustainable Textiles. MaxTex pursues the goal of strengthening the overarching development of the industries, taking into account the special requirements of customers and end consumers with regard to sustainable production and service. The association is a forum for experts, decision-makers, lateral thinkers, visionaries and doers in textile management. As a founding member of the association "MAXTEX - network for sustainable textiles", we work together with all other member companies to promote concrete sustainable solutions in the textile industry. Ralf Hellmann, Managing Director of Dibella, acts as Chairman of the Board for the association.
Member of Textile Exchange since 2011
Other memberships: German Textile Cleaning Association/ WIRTEX/ Global Compact/B.A.U.M/ UPJ.
Regular participation in expert discussions, panel discussions, moderated technical discussions and giving presentations