US giant commits to greenhouse gas cuts

Through a new memorandum of understanding with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Center for Energy & Climate Solutions, Nike Inc. has promised to cut emissions of CO2 by 13% below 1998 levels by the end of 2005, and says it will also measure emissions from its 750 contracted manufacturing and shipping operations with the intent to ultimately reduce these. The reductions will be made through the Climate Savers programme, where WWF and the Center for Energy & Climate Solutions work with companies to pursue practical activities that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and achieve energy efficiency goals.

Nike has set itself the following targets:

• to reduce CO2 emissions from business travel and Nike owned facilities and services 13% below 1998 levels by the end of 2005, through pursuing energy conservation projects, purchasing green power and investing in community energy efficiency projects;
• to create baselines for the company’s major subcontracted footwear and apparel manufacturing facilities by year-end 2003, investigating, evaluating and distributing best practices to its major subcontracted manufacturing facilities, with an emissions reduction strategy for these facilities to be determined in 2005;
• to examine Nike’s supply chain, from packaging to mode of transportation, for opportunities to improve logistics efficiency and reduce emissions from supply chain activities; and
• to continue progress to eliminate sulphur hexafluoride, committing to complete elimination by June 2003.

“Our partnership with World Wildlife Fund and the Center for Energy & Climate Solutions demonstrates Nike’s strong belief and support for responsible environmental action,” said Sarah Severn, Director of Sustainable Development at Nike. “We take very seriously the effects of climate change on our planet. Nike’s reduction of greenhouse gas emissions will illustrate how environmental strategies can align with business goals and will hopefully inspire more businesses to address climate change.”

“With approximately 750 contract factories worldwide manufacturing its products and employing some 500,000 people, Nike’s commitment to measure and reduce greenhouse gases is significant,” said Dr. Joseph Romm, director of the Center for Energy & Climate Solutions. “The Climate Savers program has tremendous potential to mitigate climate change through the combined efforts of its present participants, including IBM, Johnson & Johnson and Polaroid, as well as future participants.”