GREENSBORO – US apparel retail group, VF Corporation, which owns brands such as Timberland, The North Face and Vans, will unveil its first-ever Science Based Targets next month. The business claims the move will “put it at the forefront of progressive climate action and accountability.”
VF announced the news in a statement in which it expressed “deep disappointment” at the decision by President Trump to officially withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, the 2015 landmark accord aimed at combating global climate change.
Said a statement from VF: “There’s no doubt: climate change is real. Its effects are already threatening our outdoor resources and landscapes as well as the livelihoods of millions of people globally. As a purpose-led company, we will continue to lead by example and do our part in this important work, even if others choose to withdraw. Leaders lead by example, and that’s exactly what we will continue to do.”
In terms of work to reduce CO2 emissions, VF pointed to its commitment to using 100 per cent renewable energy at all owned and operated facilities worldwide by 2025. More pertinently, the business said it is also helping third-party suppliers reduce their own emissions, and “making changes in how we source materials and manufacture products to consistently become more energy efficient.”
Levi’s has also responded to the US President’s decision to officially withdraw from the Paris Agreement. In a statement, the company said: “Now more than ever, we need strong leadership from the private and public sectors on this critical issue. We urge companies to join us in signing on to We Are Still In, in setting science-based targets that are in line with the 1.5 degrees C scenario and in advocating for Congress to take up science-based climate solutions for the good of our planet, our communities, our businesses, and our future.”