Why Patagonia never released an impact report until now

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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Forbes or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Patagonia has released its first-ever impact report, the ‘Work in Progress’ report, detailing its environmental and social performance
• Despite being a private company with no regulatory obligation to do so, Patagonia has embraced radical transparency, acknowledging both its successes and setbacks
• Notably, it missed several key sustainability targets, including reducing carbon emissions and using 100% preferred materials
• However, it also made strides in areas like donations to 1% For The Planet and increasing its use of regenerative cotton

🔭 The context: Patagonia’s decision to release such a detailed report marks a departure from the typical greenwashing seen in the industry
• The company, known for its environmental advocacy, had previously reported sustainability data through various initiatives but never in one consolidated format
• The report reflects the company’s commitment to transparency and its acknowledgment of ongoing challenges

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Patagonia’s report highlights the difficulty of achieving sustainability in the fashion industry, especially when it comes to carbon reduction and supply chain practices
• It stresses the importance of honest reflection on progress, calling for collaboration across the industry to overcome barriers
• This transparency could inspire other companies to take similar steps, fostering greater accountability in the fight against climate change

⏭️ What’s next: Patagonia hopes its radical transparency will spur industry-wide innovation and collaboration
• The company aims to lead by example, encouraging other businesses to publish their own reports and embrace more sustainable practices
• In an era where regulatory pressure on green practices is easing, Patagonia’s open approach to its environmental and social impact sets a powerful precedent

💬 One quote: “We want to make sure that we progress and push the envelope, and we want to bring other businesses along.” — Nina Hajikhanian, General Manager, Patagonia

📈 One stat: Patagonia’s use of Regenerative Organic Certified cotton increased from 0% in 2019 to 17% today

See on illuminem’s Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Patagonia, and its peers like Vivobarefoot, and The North Face

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