And when we say nothing, we mean nothing. As in zero. Zilch. Nada. See, when we unveiled the Allbirds Flight Plan in 2021, that was a big part of our commitment: cutting our carbon footprint in half by the end of 2025, then reducing it to near zero by 2030. Now, only two years in, we’re more than halfway towards our goals—and we’ll stop at nothing to get to nothing.
Only two years in, we’re more than 60% of the way towards our goals for 2025. In 2022, we reduced our average product carbon footprint by 19% compared to 2021. Which might not seem like much, but here’s the thing: this is a game of inches and we’re big on near term, tangible progress. It’s just one small part—okay, big part— of our mission to reverse climate change through better business.
But what does “better business” look like? With the sustainability bandwagon getting more and more crowded, it can be tough to know. That’s why we’re laying out our vision in plain English:
The fashion industry dumps 2.1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. That's equal to the pollution from 456,707,817 cars in the same timeframe. Why so much? Because our industry loves fossil fuels—to power factories, ship things, and make materials. In other words, most of what we wear is made from plastic, and plastic comes from oil, a fossil fuel. It wasn’t always this way. In fact, humans really only became obsessed with plastic over the last 80 years. So we asked ourselves, “Would it be better if we went back to making things from natural materials?”
Next up? Holding ourselves accountable to the impact we make. The reality is, being a carbon neutral business shouldn't take 30 years, because it's possible today. But we don't think just offsetting our emissions and calling it a day should earn us a gold star. It should be the admissions fee—chapter one in our mission to ultimately have zero emissions to begin with.
We measure everything that contributes to our carbon footprint, from the factory floor to the lights in HQ.
We’re working to reduce beyond carbon neutrality, with ambitions to eventually become climate positive.
While striving for longer-term climate goals, we are also working to support nature-based carbon removal projects that are more closely related to our value chain.
We measure everything that contributes to our carbon footprint, from the factory floor to the lights in HQ.
We’re working to reduce beyond carbon neutrality, with ambitions to eventually become climate positive.
While striving for longer-term climate goals, we offset our emissions to operate as a carbon neutral business.
Next up? Holding ourselves accountable to the impact we make. The reality is, being a carbon neutral business shouldn't take 30 years, because it's possible today. But we don't think just offsetting our emissions and calling it a day should earn us a gold star. It should be the admissions fee—chapter one in our mission to ultimately have zero emissions to begin with.
Shifting our farming practices to create healthy soil, effectively removing CO2e from the atmosphere.
Replacing petroleum-based materials with natural ones, and inventing alternatives that don’t yet exist.
Using cleaner fuel and electricity, and using less of them to begin with.
Shifting our farming practices to create healthy soil, effectively removing CO2e from the atmosphere.
Replacing petroleum-based materials with natural ones, and inventing alternatives that don’t yet exist.
Using cleaner fuel and electricity, and using less of them to begin with.
Like we said, reducing our environmental impact has been our priority since day one. Here are just a few notable causes for celebration on our journey to zero emissions.
We get it—talk is cheap. And lately, it seems like there’s a lot of it, without much action. Which is why we’re focused on 2025 and committing to a five-year to-do list—goals that will let you hold us accountable.
Climate change is so important in large part because it's so connected to everything. Which is why our work expands beyond three pillars of commitment and into the following foundational areas.
Shifting how we farm to draw carbon from the atmosphere
Replacing petroleum-based materials with natural ones
Using less and cleaner fuel and electricity
We know that saving the planet will take more than crossing our fingers and hoping for the best. So here’s how our commitments for 2025 will result in that 50% reduction we’ve been talking about so fondly.
By accepting our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, you agree to comply with our policies and guidelines.
