Sustainability Comparison

Inditex (Zara) vs SHEIN Sustainability: SINK Score Comparison

Inditex (Zara) scores 17 points higher than SHEIN on SINK's sustainability index.

Question-by-question

How each category compares

Category
Inditex
SHEIN
Carbon Footprint — Operations
8/10
7/10
Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain
7/10
5/10
Emissions Trajectory
2/10
0/10
Energy Source
7/10
4/10
Nature & Biodiversity Impact
5/10
0/10
Resource Use & Waste
5/10
3/10
Water Impact
6/10
1/10
Targets & Commitments
7/10
5/10
Transparency & Accountability
7/10
4/10
Controversies & Red Flags
4/10
0/10
Frequently asked

Inditex (Zara) vs SHEIN, answered.

Which is more sustainable, Inditex (Zara) or SHEIN?

Inditex (Zara) is more sustainable according to SINK's open sustainability index, scoring 32/100 vs SHEIN's 15/100 — a difference of 17 points.

What is Inditex (Zara)'s SINK sustainability score?

Inditex (Zara) scores 32/100 on the SINK sustainability index (Below expectations). Inditex reports strong Scope 1&2 cuts but masks a critical failure: Scope 3 emissions (99% of total) are flat since 2018 despite 47% revenue growth. Transport emissions rising 10% year-on-year while claiming climate leadership. Multiple NGO accusations of greenwashing, labour controversies in Bangladesh, and supplier lists remain secret.

What is SHEIN's SINK sustainability score?

SHEIN scores 15/100 on the SINK sustainability index (Critical concern). SHEIN is a greenwashing operation masking accelerating emissions. Emissions nearly tripled since 2022, rising 23% in 2024 alone, yet the company parades SBTi validation and renewable energy claims. Italy and France fined it €41M for deceptive sustainability marketing. The business model—ultra-fast polyester production, 10,000 new items daily, zero circular economy—structurally contradicts any decarbonisation claim.

How does SINK compare Inditex (Zara) and SHEIN?

Both companies are rated on the same 10-question SINK rubric: Scope 1/2/3 carbon footprint, energy source, nature and biodiversity, resource use, water, emissions trajectory, science-based targets, transparency, and controversies. Scores are 0–100, based on public data, and fully reproducible.

See the full leaderboard — 500+ companies ranked.

View full leaderboard →