Columbia Sportswear Company Releases 2021 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report

Rhea-AI Summary

Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ: COLM) released its 2021 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, showcasing progress in its corporate responsibility strategy despite pandemic challenges. The company achieved its best year historically while focusing on sustainable practices. Key highlights include finalizing a Carbon Leadership Project for emission reductions, establishing an Employee Resource Group for Asian & Pacific Islander employees, and building two new water towers for clean water access. Columbia aims for a 30% reduction in manufacturing emissions by 2030 based on 2019 levels.

Positive

• Achieved best year in history despite pandemic challenges.
• Finalized Carbon Leadership Project to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030.
• Established Coalition of Asian & Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group.
• Built two new water towers, totaling 24, for clean water access.

Negative

• None.

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ: COLM, the "Company"), a global leading innovator in outdoor, active and lifestyle products including apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment, today released its 2021 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, which includes performance highlights and progress made throughout 2021 in the three pillars of its corporate responsibility strategy – Empowering People, Sustaining Places, and Responsible Practices.

2021 proved to be another challenging year with operations across the globe affected by the pandemic, but ESG remained a priority for Columbia Sportswear Company.

“Despite facing challenges, the Company had its best year in history, and we did so while maintaining our commitment to environmental, social, and governance issues. We proved, once again, that by living our core value of Doing the Right Thing, we can thrive and do well by our people, places and practices,” said Tim Boyle, Chairman, President and CEO.

The report highlights work accomplished by its four primary brands – Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna. In 2021, Columbia Sportswear Company:

• Finalized one Carbon Leadership Project program and one Clean by Design program with two cohorts of manufacturing partners at the Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels to help the partners reduce their environmental impact. Reduction in emissions by the Company’s manufacturing partners will help it to meet its previously established manufacturing climate target of a 30% reduction in manufacturing emissions by 2030, as compared to a 2019 baseline.
• Introduced the Coalition of Asian & Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group, bringing the total number of Employee Resource Groups to seven.
• Built two new water towers in supply chain locations to bring clean water to the children of our manufacturing partners and their employees with the Planet Water Foundation, bringing the total number of water towers built to 24.
• Coordinated COVID-19 community vaccine clinics in Portland, OR and launched an educational campaign encouraging all employees to get vaccinated.

To learn more about Columbia Sportswear Company’s ESG efforts, view the 2021 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report. The Company has also released a Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Index, which discloses the Company’s ESG efforts in accordance with SASB industry-specific standards and can be viewed here.

About Columbia Sportswear Company

Columbia Sportswear Company connects active people with their passions and is a global leading innovator in outdoor, active and lifestyle products including apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment. Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, the Company's brands are sold in approximately 90 countries. In addition to the Columbia® brand, Columbia Sportswear Company also owns the Mountain Hardwear®, SOREL® and prAna® brands. To learn more, please visit the Company's websites at www.columbia.com, www.mountainhardwear.com, www.sorel.com, and www.prana.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements regarding emissions reductions. The company’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis; however, such forward-looking statement involves a number of risks and uncertainties, including those described in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors,” and those that have been or may be described in other reports filed by the company, including reports on Form 8-K.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220727005967/en/

Mary Ellen Glynn  

Senior Director of Corporate Communications

mglynn@columbia.com 

Source: Columbia Sportswear Company

FAQ

What did Columbia Sportswear Company announce in its 2021 ESG Report?

Columbia Sportswear Company announced progress in its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies, including emission reduction projects and community initiatives.

What is Columbia Sportswear's emissions reduction target by 2030?

Columbia Sportswear aims for a 30% reduction in manufacturing emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.

What challenges did Columbia Sportswear face in 2021?

Columbia Sportswear faced challenges due to the pandemic but still reported its best year in history.

How many water towers has Columbia Sportswear built for clean water?

Columbia Sportswear has built a total of 24 water towers for clean water access in partnership with the Planet Water Foundation.