Outfitters
What motivated you to begin working with Ekos and what do you aim to achieve?
Our major brand is carbon neutral – our belief is that we should be aligning our efforts with our global partners. Our values and efforts to reduce emissions should reflect ours and our suppliers’ values. We chose to use Ekos for our carbon measurement because of their renowned expertise in measuring and offsetting emissions and for their involvement in restorative and regenerative carbon forest projects in New Zealand.
What have you learnt from working with Ekos on carbon management? Have you seen any benefits? Were there any challenges and how did you overcome them?
Every year we are learning new ways to reduce our carbon emissions. Josh, our carbon analyst has been extremely helpful in providing all information needed to create an accurate measurement and has given us guidance on how to reduce our emissions now and in the future. We have learnt how to be more energy efficient within our business and how to reduce our business waste by reusing and recycling packaging as much as possible. Learning how to manage data accurately will continue to benefit our measurements in the years to come.
What sustainability initiatives are you currently engaged in? and how will these impact your business for a sustainable future?
We are making steps to reduce waste by introducing warehouse scanning. This will massively impact our business with a reduction in paper usage when everything is processed electronically. We also use recyclable or compostable satchels to deliver our products to our customers. Rab, our major brand has introduced material facts tables for 99% of their products showing the total recycled content and fluorocarbon content of each part of the product. They are now also sharing the % of renewable energy used in the final product manufacturing stage.
For you, what might a low carbon business look like?
At Outfitters, we believe that becoming a low carbon business will drive business growth and innovation. It will create additional value to our brands, enhance financial performance and cost savings and attract customers who prioritise environmental sustainability. All the while supporting native forest regeneration in New Zealand.
What areas have you looked at to make your GHG emissions report more complete? Have you learnt about bettering your data collection?
Over the last two and a half years we have been constantly learning how to better our data collection. We have switched to using fuel cards to accurately measure how much fuel we are using. Making sure that our outward deliveries are accurately measured, weighed and recorded correctly makes for a more accurate and complete emissions report at the end of the year.
How do you communicate your actions and certification?
Our actions and certification are shared with our business partners and also with our retailers to make them aware of our efforts to reduce our GHG emissions.
What are the links between your sustainability and social goals
Outfitters Ltd are an Investor of the Sustainable Business Network.
We have also partnered with Protect Our Winters Aotearoa to support and generate positive climate outcomes. Donations can be made through our website.