VF announces science-based targets to reduce emissions and a bold vision for sustainable materials

• VF’s newest Made for Change Sustainability and Responsibility report details our aspirations for advancing environmental and social improvements across our business, portfolio of brands, global supply chain and communities worldwide.
• The report includes the announcement of industry-leading science-based targets (SBTs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across our entire value chain.
• To help meet these ambitious targets, we are also launching a new vision for sustainable materials. We commit that 100 percent of our top nine materials will originate from regenerative, renewable, or recycled sources by 2030.

We’re stepping up our sustainability commitments and leading by example on climate action.

The latest Made for Change Sustainability & Responsibility report outlines our goals for environmental and social responsibility and highlights achievements through 2018. For example, we have converted 50 percent our distribution centers into zero-waste facilities, achieved LEED certification for 16 VF-owned buildings, and improved the lives of our workers through the Worker and Community Development program. Check out this video to learn more about our vision. 

“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 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.”

As part of the report, we are announcing ambitious science-based targets (SBTs) to significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. By 2030, we will reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 55 percent. This includes direct and indirect emissions from our facilities and vehicles and energy use.

We will also reduce our Scope 3 emissions by 30 percent by 2030. This commitment includes all indirect emissions in our value chain.  

Our targets are consistent with the goals of global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050.

To develop the SBTs, we worked for two years with the Carbon Trust to gather data from 1,400 facilities and distribution centers as well as more than 100 Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. We studied direct emissions from our own facilities, but also indirect emissions such as energy use, transportation and waste, and used the data to develop targets using the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Apparel and Footwear Sector Guidance.

Through the SBT process, we learned that the extraction, production and manufacturing of raw materials accounts for the largest portion of our company’s carbon emissions globally. Because of this, our material choices are key to achieving our sustainability commitments.

We are launching a bold new vision for sustainable materials. By 2030, we commit that 100% of our top nine materials will originate from regenerative, responsibly sourced renewable, or recycled sources. These materials account for approximately 90% of its materials-related carbon emissions. We are currently assessing our materials across the organization to determine the greatest opportunities for reducing our environmental impact and identify opportunities for innovation.

Beyond reducing our own impact, we hope that these ambitious goals inspire others to set SBTs and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

“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.”

To learn more about our Made for Change Strategy and our sustainability commitments, visit www.vfc.com/sustainability-and-responsibility.