Solutions Credit: wu yi/Unsplash Nike cuts sustainability staff despite carbon goals Nike has laid off nearly one-third of its sustainability workforce, casting doubt on its commitment to reducing its environmental impact.Rob Davis reports for ProPublica and Matthew Kish for The Oregonian.In short:Since December, Nike has reduced its sustainability team by 30%, affecting staff focused on environmental initiatives.The cuts come as Nike struggles to meet its carbon reduction targets, with emissions having slightly increased since 2015.The layoffs were part of a broader $2 billion cost-cutting plan due to flatlining sales.Key quote:"Given Nike’s leadership and investment, their retreat is unfortunate, especially in light of the scale and urgency of the challenge."— Ken Pucker, professor of practice at Tufts UniversityWhy this matters:Reducing sustainability efforts threatens Nike's environmental goals and undermines public trust in the company's commitment to addressing climate change. This shift could impact global efforts to meet climate targets.Keep reading...Show less
Solutionscommons.wikimedia.org Mushroom leather, fermented silk: How can next-gen materials scale up? Sustainable, animal-free fabrics have been used in capsule collections, but to have the greatest impact, they have to go from an alternative option to an everyday material.
Causescommons.wikimedia.org Nike appears to be shredding brand-new shoes at a European recycling center An investigation by German journalists alleges that the company is breaking German law by downcycling shoes that could be resold.
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