Timberland reduces emission

Outdoor and footwear company Timberland announced it achieved a 38% greenhouse gas emission reduction in comparison to the end of 2010. Five years ago, the company set a 50% reduction goal for absolute emissions through its own facilities

and employee air travel.

“While the net result for 2010 was positive, we fell short of meeting our 50% reduction goal. However, we are still planning to achieve this goal by 2015, and to go even further,” said Betsy Blaisdell, Senior Manager Environmental Stewardship. “2010 was not a typical year. The rebound of our business resulted in an increase in employee travel, and record temperatures, both highs and lows, contributed to increased energy use.”

Timberland managed to reduce its emissions by a three-pronged approach for its owned and operated facilities. For example, the company uses retrofitting facilities with Led lighting and employing Leed standards for store design. Further more, in 2010 13% of Timberland’s energy came from renewable sources, and the company encourages employees to seek practical alternatives when travelling. The purchased offsets have been used to support the development of a wind farm in Shangyi County, China. Besides its owned and operated facilities, and employee travel, Timberland is committed to addressing climate impacts and reducing emissions throughout the supply chain. The company is looking to accomplish this by using its proprietary Green Index rating system to design products with fewer climate impacts and by helping its supply
chain partners to reduce their own footprints.

Timberland is an international outdoor company, and markets products under several brands. Nathan Swartz set it up in 1952 when he bought half interest in Abington shoes. He developed it into Timberland in 1973. Seventeen years later, Timberland saw its first European store opening on New Bond Street in London. On several occasions the company was named to be one of the best companies to work for by different magazines.

Image: Timberland