ZeroPact, a Portuguese startup focused on decarbonization, won first place in the El Corte Inglés Retail Challenge during the Web Summit, receiving 15 euros.

The victory will allow them to launch a pilot program with El Corte Inglés, testing their technology for calculating and offsetting the carbon footprint of products in the retail sector.

The Portuguese startup ZeroPact.co has launched its free tool, which allows e-commerce companies to automatically calculate and offset the carbon footprint of their products. Using artificial intelligence, the platform analyzes CO₂ emissions throughout the entire product lifecycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life.

With the Digital Product Passport (DPP) becoming mandatory in 2027, ZeroPact offers a practical and accessible solution for brands to assess and reduce their environmental impact, while engaging consumers in the sustainability journey.

Sustainability as a priority

The importance of sustainability for consumers is highlighted by João Morgado, CEO of ZeroPact. “ Portuguese consumers are increasingly attentive to the environmental practices of brands. The Mastercard Barometer 2023 – Perception of Sustainability in Portugal reveals that 80% of Portuguese people value the sustainability policies of retailers or suppliers, and that 52% have stopped buying a product due to a brand's poor environmental reputation. These numbers show the urgency for companies to adopt transparent practices aligned with the expectations of a more conscious consumer ,” states João Morgado, CEO of ZeroPact. “ Furthermore, 87% of Portuguese people express interest in knowing the carbon footprint of their purchases, with this percentage rising to 90% among women. However, only 15% know their own carbon footprint, although 74% are already familiar with the concept. This scenario highlights a great opportunity for companies to lead in sustainability communication and offer tools that help consumers make more informed and sustainable decisions ,” adds Morgado.

Pilot with retail giant

Assunção Cristas, partner at VdA and former Minister of the Environment, underlines the relevance of the solution. “ The entry into force of the Digital Product Passport will mark a profound change in the way companies communicate the sustainability of their products. Innovative models, such as ZeroPact's, are essential to support companies in this process, providing practical solutions that facilitate the measurement and transparency of carbon emissions. These tools are crucial for aligning the business sector with the Sustainable Development Goals and for creating a more responsible and resilient economy. ”

“ It is exciting to know that the winning project was in the area of sustainability, which reveals the company's commitment to continuously working on reducing its environmental footprint. The application of technology in the area of sustainability allows us to provide customers with clear and accurate information about the carbon footprint of the products they purchase. Furthermore, it can create a replicable model for the sector as a whole, driving a broader transformation towards sustainability, ” said Vasco Marques Pinto, Sustainability at El Corte Inglés.