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How sustainable is Patagonia ?

Patagonia & sustainability


Logo_patagonia

9 out of 16

Sustainability summary

Brand owner: Patagonia
Head office: Ventura, California, USA
Sector: Sport & outdoor clothing
Categories : Male, Female, Kids, Baby
Free Tags: Patagonia, Bags, Caps, Shirts, Pullover, Jackets, Dress, Shoes

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Patagonia sustainability score report

Last edited: 8 May 2013 by Mario
Last reviewed: 8 May 2013 by Mario

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

2 out of 4
1. Is there a policy for the brand to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions? Patagonia has taken several policy measures to reduce its carbon emissions, such as building green building and ensuring energy efficiency. Source
2. Has the brand (company) disclosed the annual absolute carbon footprint of its 'own operations' (Scope 1 & 2) and has the brand already reduced or compensated 10% of these emissions in the last 5 years? Although Patagonia shows the carbon emissions of single products in its Footprint Chronicles, Patagonia does not communicate a total carbon footprint on its website. Neither does it report whether it has achieved a reduction in its carbon emissions. Source
3. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce its absolute ‘own operations’ carbon emissions by at least 20% within the next 5 years? In the Footprint Chronicles Methodology Patagonia states it is planning to reduce its CO2 footprint. However, Patagonia does not mention any concrete reduction targets on its website. Source
4. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the product supply chain that is beyond own operations (Scope 3)? Patagonia's Footprint Chronicles include information on manufacturing energy consumption for every single product (see p.1). Source

Questions about Environmental Policy

1 out of 4
1. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 5% of its volume? Patagonia communciates that many products are made of prefereable materials such as organic cotton or recycled polyester. However, Patagonia does not give a total % of the use of preferred materials. Source
2. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 10% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
3. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 25% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
4. Does the brand (company) have an environmental policy related to the ‘wet processes’ within the production cycle, like bleaching and dying of fabrics? Patagonia's clothing is bluesign* certified, which means that high standards are maintained for suitable chemical use and water policies during production. This certification is applicable to some products of Patagonia´s collection. Source

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

6 out of 8
1. Does the brand (company) have a supplier Code of Conduct (CoC) which includes the following standards: No forced or slave labor, no child labor, no discrimination of any kind and a safe and hygienic workplace? All standards are mentioned in Patagonia's Code of Conduct (see link, pages 2 - 3). Source
2. Does this CoC include at least two of the following workers rights: 1. to have a formally registered employment relationship 2. to have a maximum working week of 48 hours with voluntary and paid overtime of 12 hours maximum 3. to have a sufficient living wage? 1. No, not specifially mentioned; 2. Yes, maximum workweek of 48 hours, overtime (max 12 hours) is voluntary; 3.No, only to adhere paying at least minimum wages which comply with legal requirements is enforced by the CoC (see link, page 3). Source
3. Does this Code of Conduct include the right for workers to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively; and in those situations where these rights are restricted under law, the right to facilitate parallel means of independent and free association and bargaining? Freedom of association is mentioned, but nothing found about situations in which this right is restricted by law (see page 2). Source
4. Does the brand (company) have a published list of direct suppliers, that have collectively contributed to more than 90% of the purchase volume? Patagonia communicates the list of its direct suppliers. Source
5. Is the brand (company) a member of a collective initiative that aims to improve labor conditions, or does the brand (company) purchase its supplies from accredited factories with improved labor conditions? Patagonia is a member of the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and the Fair Factory Clearinghouse. Source
6. Do independent civil society organizations like NGO's and labor unions have a decisive voice in this collective initiative or in these certification schemes? FLA is acknowledged as a ‘Multi Stakeholder Initiative’ (MSI). Source
7. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labor conditions policy? According to the Fair Labor Organisation Patagonia is in compliance with the FLA code. Source
8. Has the brand’s labor conditions policy resulted in a ‘compliance level’ of at least 30% of the purchase volume, or a ‘monitored level' of at least 80%? See remark for labor conditions question 7. Source