Accelerating climate action and circularity at Swapfiets

“We’ve spent the past few years at Swapfiets working to reduce our emissions, although we lacked a clear framework and defined decarbonisation pathways.

Partnering with Nexio has allowed us to step back, better understand our impact, and develop a tailored, SBTi-aligned approach that gives us confidence in reaching our goals.” 

– Freya Wood, Sustainability Manager at Swapfiets

Company & challenge

Swapfiets, a pioneering subscription-based mobility company with close to 1,000 employees, has built its business on circular principles from day one. As expectations for low-carbon, circular mobility solutions continue to rise among customers, partners, and investors, the company recognised the need for a clear, science-based path to reducing its environmental footprint. To chart that path, Swapfiets turned to Nexio Projects for our expertise in science-based target setting and circularity. 

Our approach & solutions

We began by modelling Swapfiets’ GHG emissions across relevant scopes and product lifecycles, pinpointing the key carbon hotspots specific to a subscription-based fleet. Using this emissions baseline, we developed SBT-aligned reduction pathways through scenario analysis, identifying feasible and ambitious options grounded in Swapfiets’ operational reality. Throughout this process, circularity was woven into the decarbonisation thinking, ensuring that every reduction measure also reinforced product longevity, reuse cycles, resource efficiency, and end-of-life recovery. 

Download our expert playbook and learn about Science Based Targets!

From there, we evaluated a broad set of decarbonisation levers through both a climate and circularity lens, examining impacts on emissions, product durability, repair cycles, material use, and supply chain engagement. We shortlisted the most impactful interventions, balancing carbon impact, feasibility, investment needs, and alignment with Swapfiets’ circular objectives. These included material optimisation, enhanced repair and refurbishment processes, supplier engagement, and operational efficiency improvements. 

The results

The result is a robust, SBT-aligned decarbonisation strategy that gives Swapfiets a clear understanding of their emissions baseline and reduction potential, a prioritised set of measures aligned with SBT requirements, and a strategic plan that fully integrates circularity into climate action.  

With this roadmap in hand, Swapfiets is well-positioned to advance its science-based climate ambitions with confidence, consistency, and clear operational direction, while continuing to deepen the circularity at the heart of its business model. 

Nexio Projects helps organisations worldwide across sustainability & climate services, from emissions reductions to sustainability ratings. Talk to our team if you have a sustainability challenge to be tackleded!