Carrying on from my 2021 introduction to our Sustainability Strategy, we have been working to define our sustainability objectives, and focussing here on our impact on the planet; specifically working towards minimising our carbon footprint. 

To begin our emissions reduction journey, we wanted to get a better picture of our current operations. To do this we joined the Toitu CarbonAsess Program last year and completed baseline assessments of our emissions for both 2019 and 2020. By gathering data relating to fuel, electricity, travel, waste, and freight we were able to identify the areas of our business that were contributing the most to our carbon footprint.  

From there, we were able to start to consider ways that we could target our emissions and contribute to the New Zealand Governments recent pledge of a 50% emissions reduction by 2030.  While there is a temptation to purchase carbon credits to become net-zero, we are committed to investigating and implementing policies and procedures that reduce the impacts our business operations have on the planet as a whole.   

For us, this means looking at our emissions right across our operations. Not only by addressing the more traditional carbon emitters but by also implementing initiatives such as compost collections for our organic waste, working on comprehensive garment and fabric care guides enabling our customers with the knowledge to extend the life of their JH garments. We have also begun working on our fibre and materials strategy, as it’s believed that half of all greenhouse gas emissions, as well as over 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress, occurs due to the extraction and transformation of resources.

We know we have got a long way to go, but it’s a journey that we are committed to as a business and one I’m personally excited and proud to be a part of.   

I look forward to sharing more about our sustainability journey with you throughout 2022. 

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Tui