Commercial, GHG Emissions  -  July 29, 2021

Columbia Sportswear Cut Emissions 12%, Aims for New Target

Columbia Sportswear Company announced July 28 that it is targeting a 30% reduction in manufacturing emissions by 2030.

The outdoor apparel brand released its 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report, detailing how it reduced total emissions 12% from 2019 to 2020. A large reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions came from reduced use of owned and operated facilities due to the pandemic, while the company also increased its renewable energy use 8% over that timeframe.

Columbia Sportswear further reduced its Scope 3 emissions by increasing the use of preferred materials in manufacturing, reducing employee travel and increasing renewable energy across its supply chain by 36% from 2019 to 2020. The company is pursuing a target of reducing its manufacturing emissions 30% between 2020 and 2030 and intends to reach that goal in part by requiring manufacturing partners to follow emissions intensity, Higg FEM energy score and total facility emissions criteria.

“Throughout the year, we remained true to our core values by continuing to invest in our employees and sustainable manufacturing processes, while focusing on urgent social challenges,” Tim Boyle, chairman, president and CEO, said in a statement. “I’m proud that our employees rose to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, not only by being as productive as ever, but by excelling.”