GREENSBORO – US apparel retail group, VF Corporation, which owns brands such as Timberland, The North Face and Vans, has announced new Science Based Targets. They include an absolute reduction of Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions of 55 per cent by 2030, from a 2017 baseline year; and an absolute reduction of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions of 30 per cent by 2030, from a 2017 baseline year focusing on farm-to-retail materials, sourcing operations and logistics. The targets are published in the company’s latest sustainability report.
SBTs are greenhouse gas emission reduction targets that are in line with meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.
VF underwent a two-year long process to develop its new SBTs. It partnered with global consultancy, the Carbon Trust, to model data across its owned and operated facilities as well as its entire operations from farm to retail store; and also engaged with its entire value chain. Primary data was gathered from VF’s 1,400 owned facilities, distribution centres and global logistics as well as more than 100 Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.
The Science Based Targets initiative promotes science-based target setting as a way of boosting companies’ competitive advantage in the transition to the low-carbon economy. It is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments.
“This is the most comprehensive strategic advice we have delivered to an organization on how it can achieve its SBTs across its own operations and its value chain,” said Tom Delay, chief executive, the Carbon Trust. “This work sends a strong signal to the apparel sector about the degree of transformation needed to truly address emissions across global supply and distribution chains and multiple brands. The collaborative development process and focus on influencing others is what true corporate leadership looks like. We are excited to see VF achieve its ambitious goals.”
“Our workforce of 50,000 performance-driven people share a commitment to be more than just an apparel and footwear company. We strive to be a purpose-led enterprise that leverages the strength of our business to deliver positive impacts for people and the planet we share,” said Steve Rendle, VF’s chairman, president and CEO. “We’re proud of our progress but know there is so much more we can do. Our Made for Change strategy outlines our forward-looking priorities and provides us with a renewed focus to push ourselves harder and farther as we address some of our industry’s most challenging issues.”