Wishlists are for Santa, and New Year’s Resolutions never worked. But as sustainability faces an uphill battle in 2025, we need to find some way to up our game… Tapping into the outdoor community’s inclination toward bravado and sense of adventure, Suston introduces a Top 5 “I Dare You List.”

Though 2024 has not been without wins, many promising initiatives were seen to face growing pains and budget constraints. Globally, the momentum appears to have stalled, and in some cases, even reversed.

While hopefully this is only a temporary setback, it looks like sustainability progress in 2025 will depend largely on those who maintain the vision and choose to blaze forward. Willingly.

Here at Suston, we know that there is no shortage of boldness within the outdoor community, so below are five things the editorial team wants to see more of in 2025 – for those who dare.

Climate: Say goodbye to coal!

Just as it looked like coal was ready to disappear into history, we are back to burning it at record levels. The apparel industry remains a major driver. Who can be the first to claim a Coal-Free supply chain by 2030? Or better still, how many can do this together?

Unsure of where to start? Check out the European Outdoor Group’s Carbon Reduction Project or the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps.

Communication: Honesty is the best policy

2025 is the milestone that many companies set for various initiatives like PFAS-free, carbon emission reduction targets and more. How did that go? Sharing not only successes but also setbacks, and how challenges were addressed, can guide the entire industry toward more effective solutions.

A great way to share this is in an annual Impact Report. If your organization doesn’t already produce one, maybe it is time you do.

DEI: Get educated!

Not everybody can access the outdoors, and even when they can, not everybody feels welcome. Find out which ways you or your organization might inadvertently be a part of the problem, and how you instead can become part of the solution.

The non-profits Opening Up The Outdoors (OUTO) and the Outdoor Diversity Alliance are doing brilliant work on this front – reach out to them to find out how you can get started.

Transparency: Build back consumer trust

With EU digital product passport legislation set to begin rolling out this year, providing verified information about sourcing, labor, and environmental performance will soon no longer be optional. But we want to see the outdoor industry way ahead of the game, and to use this increased knowledge to empower consumers with clear information today.

When it comes to clear, daring transparency, we think that the Material Facts Collective is on the right track.

Advocacy: Join up. Be heard.

Shaping the future of the sustainability agenda depends on who is at the table. With key legislation unfolding in the EU and North America, companies must engage to ensure their perspectives and priorities are part of the conversation.

Trade organizations like European Outdoor Group (EOG), Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and Federation of the European Sporting goods Industry (FESI) – and their professional advocates – are experts at navigating the corridors of power and effecting change. Contact them to ask how you can get involved!

 

Photo: Jamie Fenn on Unsplash