How sustainable is Arc’teryx?
This screening has been done by Fairify on October 26th 2020
Arc’teryx, named after the first reptile to develop feathers for flight,is a Vancouver-based outerwear brand that’s part of Amer Sports, a Chinese-Finnish sporting goods company. Amer Sports publishes one sustainability report for all of its sub-brands. This approach is
generally not that transparent and prone to cherry-picking.
A lack of transparency on sustainability
Amer Sports claims that it is actively engaged in climate action and emission reduction, but actions speak louder than words. The company has adopted the Higg Index and is transparent about its scope 1 and 2 emissions, but scope 3 hasn’t been mapped yet. And although it uses some renewable energy, the vast majority of its energy use comes from
non-renewable sources. Besides that, there’s a lack of transparency concerning the environmental impact of its material, water and land use.
Underregulated audits and uncertified animal materials
When it comes to workers’ rights, the information that Amer Sports publishes is ambiguous at best. The company itself adheres to the policies of the Fair Labor Association, but it’s unclear whether workers’ rights and living wages are respected throughout the supply chain. Besides that, it states that its audits are conducted by
globally-recognized third parties, but it’s not at all obvious to what extent these audits happen unannounced and whether they are properly executed. Although its down is certified by the Responsible Down Standard, the leather and wool the company uses are uncertified, which is definitely cause for concern.
Ambitious climate targets aren’t enough
Amer Sports’ goals are ambitious, which is a good sign. It has set Science Based Targets to achieve its goals, it’s committed to using 100% renewable energy in its owned operations by the end of 2020, and aims to set up renewable energy projects throughout its supply chain. On top of that, Amer Sports wants to reduce its absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 65% by 2030. The company has big plans for the future, but is currently underperforming in terms of action and transparency. It states that people, planet and animals are of paramount importance, but a closer look revealed that, for now, few of the criteria are met.
