16 April 2010 | Allie Anderson
US outdoor footwear manufacturer Timberland cut its greenhouse gas emissions by over one-third in 2009 thanks to renewable energy procurement and driving carbon reduction throughout its supply chain.
The company achieved a total fall in emissions of 36 per cent compared with its 2006 baseline, primarily through increased energy efficiency at its manufacturing and distributing facilities and retail outlets. It is now on target to achieve a total reduction in emissions of 50 per cent by the end of the year.
The firm made the announcements as part of its 2009 corporate and social responsibility report. It highlighted that approximately 12 per cent of Timberland’s global energy was from renewable sources in 2009. It also began purchasing locally produced renewable electricity at one of its US distribution centres.
It has also asked its employees to look at reducing the amount of air travel they use and emphasised the use of other meetings methods, such as web conferencing, to reduce carbon emissions.
Betsy Blasidell, senior manager of environmental stewardship, said: “We’re pleased with our energy efficiency progress, but we still have work to do to help our employees globally make further reductions and source more renewable energy. Additionally, there is a huge opportunity to make better product design decisions and engage more with our value chain to address our broader carbon footprint.”
Timberland is helping its suppliers to reduce their carbon footprints by encouraging them to report on the size and scope of their emissions. In addition, information collected about vendors’ energy efficiency practices is fed back into its own operations. It has also introduced a “green index” rating system to help measure the environmental impact of its products and enable suppliers to choose less carbon intensive materials.
Blaisdell added: “Timberland is committed to reducing its carbon footprint — both in our facilities and throughout the supply chain — and conducting our business in the most environmentally responsible way. In 2009, we made improvements that we are proud of and can continue to build upon.”
