The climate crisis is an existential threat, and every part of Patagonia's business is involved. We must drastically reduce carbon emissions by transforming how we make our products. We must also double down on our efforts to help communities move away from fossil fuels and protect nature—the original climate solution. And we must demand nothing less than systemic change from governments and industries. The battle is being fought on all fronts.
Being carbon neutral is not enough
Buying offsets to become carbon neutral doesn't erase the footprint we create and won't save us in the long run. If our goal had been to reduce emissions from our own stores and those we operate, our offices, and distribution centers, we'd be fine, but the majority of our emissions—95 percent—come from our supply chain and materials manufacturing. We take responsibility for all of them.
Total CO₂ emissions for fiscal year 2020 — 224,565 metric tons of CO₂e
Making products based on Environmental Gains and Losses
Making products based on Environmental Gains and Losses
Cleaning up every base of our business
Cleaning up every base of our business
Protecting nature to curb climate change
Protecting nature to curb climate change
Supporting a just transition to renewables
Supporting a just transition to renewables
Strengthen the movement to save our planet
Strengthen the movement to save our planet
“The climate crisis poses an existential threat; if we don’t clean up our mess, we’ll be history. Businesses have a role to play, but it’s only one part. We must use every tool at our disposal to ensure a safer and fairer future.”
Ryan Gellert, CEO of Patagonia
No more virgin petroleum fibers by 2025
Our product line accounts for more than 90 percent of our total carbon emissions. While Patagonia has long used materials with a lower environmental impact, we haven't been able to completely eliminate fossil fuels. By 2025, we will use only our preferred materials: organic and Regenerative Organic cotton, recycled polyester and nylon, among others. We've already reached this goal with 87 percent of our line and are continuing to increase it. This effort will reduce our emissions by 15 percent (we'd like to see that number even higher, too, but every percent counts!). Through our expanding Worn Wear program, Patagonia will continue to offer our customers garments with 60 percent lower emissions than new ones.
NetPlus™ material made from recycled fishing nets
Regenerative Organic Certified™ Cotton
Yulex® Natural Rubber
Is each product worth its environmental cost?
Our Environmental Gains and Losses (EP&L) metrics calculate the carbon, water, and waste costs of every product we sell (this applies to our best-selling products as well). We use EP&L to guide our product selection, identify and prioritize significant improvements, discontinue some styles until their impact decreases, and reduce the quantities we manufacture. EP&L holds us accountable to our customers and the planet.
Helping suppliers reduce emissions
One hundred percent clean energy for our stores and offices across North America is a start, but Patagonia’s supply chain is global and accounts for more than 90 percent of our carbon emissions. The truth is, our partners rely on fossil fuels, and we can’t simply demand changes from them. We have to invest in them. We’re funding energy and carbon audits for those partners who are focused on improving their energy efficiency, implementing renewable energy both on and off our premises, and reducing their use of coal and other carbon-intensive fuels in the manufacturing of our materials.
Protecting nature as a climate solution
Old-growth forests. Wetlands. Peatlands. Marine habitats. Regenerative agriculture. Science has confirmed that nature can reduce one-third of the CO2 we need to capture by 2030 to curb catastrophic warming. For nearly 50 years, Patagonia has protected the wild places we love. Considering the science and the urgency, we are now also focusing—more than ever before—on the carbon-rich landscapes that can save us. For example, through partnerships with local and Indigenous communities, as well as our 1% for the Planet program, since 2008 Patagonia has supported the protection of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska and its 6.8 million hectares of ancient spruce, hemlock, and cedar trees, which hold hundreds of millions of tons of carbon.
Invest in community energy
Communities know what they need to make a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We support local knowledge and action on climate solutions, especially in Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, which are the hardest hit, have lost the most, and have had the least say in their climate reality. Patagonia will increase its support for groups like those featured in our recent films DISTRICT 15 (about the fight against Big Oil and the gas industry in California) and We the Power (about the energy democracy movement in Europe). At the same time, we are committed to a new energy system that empowers communities.
Strengthen the movement
Patagonia has long supported grassroots groups on the front lines of the environmental crisis. Over the past five years, we’ve given nearly $14 million to groups working to curb climate change. We will continue to give as we expand our Patagonia Action Works platform, which connects individuals—like you—with community activism. We are pressuring industry to adopt higher standards and demanding progressive regulations and significant government investment. In election years, we vote and fight against voter turnout restrictions to help elect leaders who will fight for the health of communities and a habitable planet.
