Nike and and nonprofit environmental group Ocean Conservancy have teamed up to launch the Arctic Shipping Corporate Pledge, a voluntary commitment by consumer goods and shipping logistics companies to not send ships through the Arctic.
We’ve made a commitment to not intentionally allow our products to be shipped on vessels via any Arctic sea route. And, we’re partnering with Ocean Conservancy, a leading advocate for the oceans and waterways, to encourage all companies and industries to make the same commitment through the Arctic Shipping Corporate Pledge,
…Nike announced.
Diminishing sea ice opens possibility of cargo traffic through Arctic sea routes that were previously unnavigable, decreasing transit times and costs.
However these new conditions create substantial risk to the environment in the form of oil spills, emissions, vessel strikes and invasive species, which not only impact marine life, but also the human populations that rely on a healthy Arctic ecosystem for their livelihood.
Beyond that, it’s estimated that carbon emissions from shipping via the Northeastern Passage would be significantly higher due to the need for smaller, less efficient vessels and increased fuel requirements.
For Nike, this means thinking about how we design and make our product all the way through to how our products are delivered all over the world – and we’ve made a clear choice – it won’t be through the Arctic,
…says Hilary Krane, Evp, Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel, Nike, Inc.
Shipping giants CMA CGM, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd and Mediterranean Shipping Company, as well as Bestseller, Columbia, Gap Inc., H&M Group, Kering, Li & Fung, PVH Corp., have also joined the pledge.
Under this commitment, the companies pledge to:
1. Avoid Arctic transshipment routes
a. For Consumer Goods Companies: Recognizing the potential impacts, they voluntarily agree not to intentionally allow product to be trans-shipped on vessels via Arctic Trans-Shipment Routes. Similarly, no ocean carrier or freight forwarder may have their product on a vessel sailing or intending to sail these Arctic Trans-Shipment Routes.
b. For Logistical Service Providers: Recognizing the impacts, they voluntarily agree not to intentionally sell services or allow our vessels to use Arctic Trans-Shipment Routes.
2. Promote precautionary Arctic shipping practices
a. In addition to pledge to avoid Arctic Trans-Shipment Routes, and recognizing that some companies may refuse to make that pledge, Nike and Ocean Conservancy support the development of precautionary Arctic shipping practices to enhance the environment and human safety of current and future Arctic shipping. These practices may include a ban on heavy fuel oil use and carriage in Arctic waters, designation of the Central Arctic Ocean by the IMO as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, evaluation of low impact shipping corridors that protect important ecological and indigenous cultural areas, and adoption of strict pollution controls.
Ocean Conservancy applauds Nike for recognizing the real bottom line here is a shared responsibility for the health of the Arctic—and believes the announcement will spur much-needed action to prevent risky Arctic shipping and hopes additional commitments to reduce emissions from global shipping will emerge,
…says Janis Searles Jones, CEO of Ocean Conservancy.
The Arctic Shipping Corporate Pledge invites companies to commit to not intentionally send ships through this fragile Arctic ecosystem.
Earlier in 2019, Nike announced its Move to Zero initiative towards a zero carbon, zero waste future, including commitments such as eliminating single-use plastics on Nike’s campuses worldwide and others.
Key Move to Zero Initiatives
1. Nike will power owned-and-operated facilities with 100 percent renewable energy by 2025.
2. Nike will reduce carbon emissions across its global supply chain by 30 percent by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement of 2015.
3. Nike diverts 99% of all footwear manufacturing waste from landfills.
4. Additionally, Nike diverts more than 1 billion plastic bottles per year from landfills to create yarns for new jerseys and uppers for Flyknit shoes.
5. The Reuse-A-Shoe and Nike Grind programs convert waste into new products, playgrounds, running tracks and courts.
