Nike signs UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Jun 25, 2019

U.S. sportswear giant Nike Inc. announced on Monday it has signed the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, with the company homing in on its sustainability efforts with the release of new climate targets.

The Portland, Oregon-based Nike said it is now eyeing a 30 percent reduction in aggregate greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with hopes to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

"Issues as big and complex as climate change call for us to collaborate across our industry and beyond,” said Noel Kinder, Nike’s chief sustainability officer, in a press release. 

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“That’s why we’re committed to doing just that in partnership with UN Climate Change – teaming up with peers and partners across sectors to do what’s right for our planet and for the future of sport."

The move signals a sharper focusing on sustainability by the world-leading sportswear firm, as it deepen its ties with the United Nations and the organisation's sustainability programs.

Nike is already a member of the United Nations Global Compact, which promotes sustainable development in business. As a result, the company is committed to using 100% renewable energy, thanks to a partnership with RE100 -- a global initiative of over 160 corporations committed to renewable electricity.

More recently, Nike revealed its open-source circular design guide at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit in May. Designed to help firms with sustainable manufacturing, the guide covers topics ranging from the choice of low-impact materials to the reduction of falls in production; as well as considerations for recycling, from design to optimisation of packaging use. 

The UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Change was first launched at the UN international climate negotiations held in Poland in December 2018. 

Other signatories include Adidas, PVH Corp, Kering Group, Gap Inc., H&M Group and Inditex, with fellow U.S. apparel group VF Corp. becoming a signatory in May.