VF considers sustainability an integral thread that must be woven through every aspect of our business.
Unprecedented forces have come together to demand decisive action by businesses, individuals and governments to curb humanity's impact on the natural environment. Scientific evidence of global warming has led to a wakeup call for the need to aggressively reduce human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Expanding world populations and increasing demand are creating huge strains on precious natural resources including petroleum, water, forests, and land for food production. In addition, the earth's ability to absorb the waste created by its nearly 7 billion inhabitants is rapidly deteriorating.
Reducing Our Impact on the Environment
As one of the world's leading apparel suppliers, with more than 42,000 associates, we have a responsibility to our consumers, customers, associates and communities to consider and reduce our impact on the environment. Many of our brands have embraced sustainability because it speaks to their brand values; others, because they find that adopting more sustainable practices can lower costs and improve efficiencies. In 2009 we made a corporate commitment to create an integrated approach to sustainability across our many businesses - by implementing a methodical, enterprise-wide plan to reduce energy use and eliminate waste throughout our operations.
Global Sustainability Advisory Team
In mid-2009 we took the first important step in our corporate sustainability journey with the formation of a global Sustainability Advisory Team. Comprised of representatives across our businesses and functions, the Team developed a global Sustainability Vision and initial action plans in four key focus areas: Carbon Footprint/Energy Efficiency, Waste, Education/Training/Communications, and Tools.
Based on the Team's recommendation, the Sustainability Vision we have adopted is:
"At VF Corporation, we conduct our business with the highest levels of honesty, integrity and respect. These values are embedded in our approach to sustainability, which reflects our commitment to operating our business so future generations can live with cleaner water and air, healthier forests and oceans, and a stable climate. By actively encouraging our associates to lead us in an environmentally and socially responsible direction, we will innovate to deliver sustainable products and services to people around the world. In this way, we will create value for our business and the communities in which we operate, while continuously reducing our impact on the environment."
Our Long-Term Goals
Our Team also developed an initial set of long-term goals for each focus area-which we recognize may need to be validated or changed in light of the experience and knowledge we gain over the course of the coming months and years. Our intention over time is that sustainability is treated as every other business planning process: by setting goals and objectives, setting plans to meet them, measuring our performance and adjusting our expectations and projections along the way.
1) Carbon Footprint & Energy Efficiency. Our long-term aspiration is to operate with optimum energy efficiency while continuously working to minimize our carbon footprint globally. In 2010 we will complete our first global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory, and begin the process of identifying opportunities for reduction. Using 2009 as our baseline, by mid-2011, we expect to establish and communicate our long-term GHG reduction targets.
2) Waste. Our long-term aspiration is to achieve zero waste. In 2010 we are organizing our efforts around four areas, with teams formed to address opportunities in each: reducing operational waste, reducing packaging waste, reducing product waste, and optimizing water use.
3) Education/Training/Communications. Over time, we will embed sustainability into our company's DNA by integrating sustainable practices into the way we do business, and by inspiring and supporting sustainable practices in the lives of our associates. Our focus in the coming months will be on increasing associates' understanding and awareness of what sustainability means, why it is important to VF's success, and how we intend to achieve our energy and waste goals.
4) Tools. We understand that what gets measured gets managed. In order to monitor our progress in each of the above focus areas, we will be building a sustainability management and reporting process that is integrated into our performance management goals and objectives.
More recently, a Sustainability Council, consisting of representatives from each major business, has been formed to monitor the progress and coordinate the sustainability action plans recommended by the Sustainability Advisory Team.
Our Sustainability Journey
As a global corporation, we are still in the early stages of our sustainability journey. We recognize that sustainability is fundamental to our success as a corporation and to our role as a global citizen. We are ready and committed to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, as we build value for our business and help create a better world for future generations.
