GHG emissions:

Patagonia has set an emissions reduction target for its own operations of net zero by 2025, and reports currently investing in offset mechanisms as well as emissions reductions initiatives to reach that goal, although it does not have a specific emissions reduction.

This target is not in line with the 55% reduction required unless it is met through absolute emissions reductions of at least 55%, but it is currently unclear how much of the reduction will be met by reductions versus offsets.

Renewable energy:

Patagonia has already achieved a renewable energy target in its own operations of 100%, using a mix of electricity that is additional to the grid and renewable energy credits.

Patagonia has yet to set a target of renewable energy for its supply chain, which is an essential step for decarbonising its manufacturing, although it has set general goals of increasing supply chain renewables as a key part of its carbon neutrality target.

Coal phase out:

Patagonia has not publicly set a target to phase out coal-fired boilers from its supply chain by 2030 to reduce air pollution and cut emissions.

GHG emissions:

Patagonia publicly reports GHG emissions in its own operations, and in its supply chain. The company does provide a full breakdown of its Scope 3 emissions.

Energy use:

Patagonia does not publicly report its energy use for its own operations, and does not report a breakdown of its renewable energy use and how that energy is sourced.

For its supply chain, Patagonia does not publicly report its energy use, and does not report a breakdown of its suppliers’ renewable energy use and how that energy is sourced.

Suppliers:

Patagonia provides a partial supplier list to Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Patagonia provides its suppliers with training and resources to help them make energy efficiency improvements, including working with key raw material suppliers to support decarbonisation of their operations and providing energy and carbon audits for partners. Patagonia also reports providing its major suppliers with financial incentives for energy efficiency measures through an internal ‘insetting’ program, but does not require them to make energy savings as a condition of contract.

Patagonia does not require suppliers to reduce thermal coal demand in their manufacturing processes.

Patagonia does report providing its suppliers with training and resources to help them transition to renewable energy, including supporting raw material suppliers to decarbonise their operations. The company also reports providing financial support or incentives to make the energy transition, such as financing energy and carbon audits and implementing renewable energy off-site and on-site. But it does not require suppliers to use renewable energy as a condition of contract.

Patagonia does require its suppliers to disclose GHG emissions data but does not require them to set GHG emissions reduction targets, and it does not require suppliers to provide facility level data via the Higg Index.

Patagonia has committed to phase out virgin fossil fuel derived materials and make key product areas fossil fuel-free by 2025, but has not committed to phase out fossil fuel derived materials altogether.

Patagonia has not made a public policy to ban the sourcing of leather from the Amazon Biome or taken measurable steps to ensure that Amazon leather is not contributing to deforestation, and the company does not have processes in place to avoid leather sourced from deforested regions. But Patagonia has a general policy against contributing to deforestation through other materials including cellulose-based fabrics.

Low-carbon materials:

Patagonia has committed to increase closed-loop apparel-to-apparel recycling for synthetics and plant-based materials, including using chemical recycling to convert pre- and post-consumer polyester textiles into new clothing, and by only using renewable or recycled materials in products by 2025. Patagonia has committed to reduce the impact of its raw materials sourcing by switching to 100% organic cotton or cotton sourced from regenerative agriculture and has committed to incorporating recycled cotton, cashmere, wool, polyester, and nylon into its raw materials.

Increasing circularity:

Patagonia is acting to increase circularity and address overproduction by policies to improve the repairability, resale, durability and recyclability of its clothes, including creating a substantial take back program, and plans to grow its resale and repair division.

Patagonia does publicly report its material mix, but it does not report the volume of materials. It does not report its volume of deadstock or how it manages or disposes of its deadstock to reduce waste.

Patagonia does not report its shipping emissions annually, and does not provide a breakdown of its transportation methods. But it does include shipping emissions in its GHG reduction targets.

Patagonia does not have a policy to avoid aviation and commit to slower shipping methods such as maritime, rail and land. The company does not report having a near-term plan to ship its cargo via cleaner methods.

Patagonia has committed to transitioning to zero emissions vessels (ZEV) by 2040, which is significant, although later than the 2030 target need to address shipping emissions now. The company has not used its voice publicly to advocate for Zero Emission Shipping.

Patagonia has yet to commit to transitioning its last mile delivery to zero emission vehicles.

Patagonia was the only brand in the Scorecard to publicly support the New York Fashion Act. Patagonia also supported the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S., which included key clean energy infrastructure investments. As a well-respected name within the industry on sustainability issues, Patagonia should do more to advocate for renewable energy on an international stage.