VF Corp signs climate and energy declarations

US-apparel giant VF Corporation is all geared to prove its environmental responsibility and to minimize its environmental footprint. To further focus on energy reduction, the Greensboro, NC-based company has signed the Climate

Declaration for two of its main brands – The North Face and Timberland. The declaration calls on US policymakers to address climate change and seize the economic opportunities that clean energy policies provide.

In addition, VF, which also includes the brands Vans, Wrangler, Lee, Eastpak, JanSport, Kipling, Nautica and others, has joined the Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy (BICEP) coalition to “advocate for innovative climate and clean energy policies”.

BICEP is

next step in VF’s sustainability commitment

“By joining BICEP, VF is taking the next step in our sustainability journey. Collaborating across businesses, governments and advocacy groups, such as BICEP, will accelerate technical advancements and smart policies that minimize the impact of climate change. We are proud to share our experience and eager to learn from fellow BICEP members in the joint effort to preserve, protect and improve the health of our planet,” commented Letitia Webster, VF’s director of global corporate sustainability.

BICEP is a project of Ceres, a Boston-based non-profit organization launched in 2008 that advocates sustainability leadership. VF brand Timberland was among the first five core companies to support the initiative. Since then, the project has grown to 28 corporate supporters that actively advocate renewable energy, greener transportation and stricter pollution controls on power plants.

“VF’s brands have already played a critical role in supporting climate policies. We are proud to have VF as the newest member of BICEP and are certain they will be an active voice for smart policies. With the company’s global commitment to mitigate the social and environmental impact of its products and practices, we’re sure that VF will flourish as a BICEP member,” said Anne Kelly, director of BICEP at Ceres.

VF’s step follows the company’s announcement in late August to set up three new Global Innovation Centers for textile and apparel research to “accelerate its innovation platform” and to “focus on game-changing product innovations in technical apparel, footwear and jeans”. The three centers will be in Alameda, CA (technical apparel innovation), Greensboro, NC (jeans) and Stratham, NH (footwear) and are expected to be operational during the first half of 2014.

Image: The North Face