In 2020, Arc’teryx was among the early outdoor brands and Canadian companies to commit to science-based targets to reduce its emissions intensity by 2030. It decreased its emissions relative to each dollar of revenue, including matching 100% of its operations’ energy use with the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits.

Now, it is focusing on the absolute amount of carbon it contributes to the atmosphere, aligning its climate action with the latest science. Citing 2023 as the hottest year on record by a considerable margin – with records broken for ocean heat, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice loss, and glacier retreat – it sees the need for additional, urgent action.

Arc’teryx has therefore established new targets aligned with the Paris Agreement commitment to limiting climate change to 1.5 degrees. These include:

• A 90% absolute reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, based on a 2022 baseline. These emissions represent 1.3% of its total carbon footprint.
• A 42% absolute reduction in its Scope 3 emissions by 2030, based on a 2022 baseline. These emissions encompass its entire value chain and represent 98.7% of its emissions footprint.

Ambitious, science based emissions targets

“Our greatest joys are found in snow-capped mountain peaks and green valleys, and we know that it’s our responsibility and privilege to nurture these landscapes and environments that inspire us,” says Penelope Comete, Climate Director at Arc’teryx.

“That’s why we have reset our climate targets: shifting from relative to absolute targets. Our updated targets are aligned with the Paris Agreement, limiting climate change to 1.5 degrees, and represent a bold step toward a better future for the outdoor industry and the planet. This will be a tough challenge, but we’re excited to get started.”

While Arc’teryx describes this new timeline as aggressive, these targets are aligned with the Paris Agreement commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. While 2030 is the first milestone year, Arc’teryx also aims for net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. Achieving the above 2030 goals could potentially expedite the journey to net zero before 2050.