Timberland Surpasses Two Key CSR Targets Nearly Two Years Ahead Of Schedule

Exceeds goals for greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy sourcing; continues to raise the bar for 2020

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Jul 09, 2014, 09:00 ET

STRATHAM, N.H., July 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2007, as part of its overall commitment to sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Timberland set a number of aggressive performance targets related to its four CSR pillars: Factories, Climate, Product and Service. The goal was to achieve these targets by the year 2015. Today, Timberland is pleased to announce that as of year-end 2013, due to persistent efforts to reduce its environmental impact, the brand has already exceeded two critical 2015 goals – nearly two years ahead of schedule.

Details on the key milestones Timberland has achieved ahead of schedule include:

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Renewable Energy Use

GOAL: Reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2015, based on 2006 baseline.

GOAL: Source 30% of energy from clean, renewable sources by 2015, based on 2006 baseline.

RESULT: By the end of 2013, Timberland surpassed this 2015 goal, achieving a 53% reduction of GHG emissions. In 2013 alone, the brand reported a 23% reduction in GHG emissions as compared to 2012.

RESULT: By the end of 2013, Timberland surpassed this goal, with 31.4% of its energy derived from renewable sources. In 2013 alone, the brand increased its use of renewable energy by 20% over 2012.

Timberland attributes these accelerated results in 2013 to a higher use of renewable energy sources in its European headquarters as well as in its global distribution centers.

"Timberland's emission reductions and steadfast commitment to the use of renewable energy are truly impressive," said Anne Kelly, director of BICEP (Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy) at Ceres. "The company has long been a pioneer both in CSR and in standing up for meaningful federal policy action. Today's achievements underscore Timberland's well-earned reputation for sustainability leadership."

Timberland's CSR success is not confined to environmental impact alone. In terms of community service, this May, Timberland reached an important volunteerism milestone – the one-millionth service hour served by employees around the world. Year-over-year, the brand served roughly 32% more hours in Q1 2014 vs. Q1 2013, driven by service initiatives from the Dominican Republic to Europe to Asia.

"We're excited to have hit these important climate targets so far ahead of schedule, but that doesn't mean the work is done," said Patrik Frisk, coalition president, Outdoor Americas for VF Corporation and president of Timberland. "As part of Timberland's ongoing mission to create sustainable impacts across our business, our environment and the communities we call home, we're always focused on continuous improvement. This includes everything from lightening our environmental footprint to embracing volunteerism around the globe. Now we turn our eyes toward setting new goals for 2020, to take our sustainability efforts to the next level."

More detailed data and analysis on Timberland's progress against various CSR targets can be found on the Goals & Progress section of Timberland's CSR website, http://responsbility.timberland.com.

About Timberland
Timberland, a brand of VF Corporation, is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers who value the outdoors and their time in it. Timberland markets products under the Timberland^®, Timberland PRO^®, and Timberland Boot Company^® brands, all of which offer quality workmanship and detailing and are built to withstand the elements of nature. The company's products can be found in leading department and specialty stores as well as Timberland^® retail stores throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, South America, South Africa and the Middle East. Timberland's dedication to making quality products is matched by its commitment to "doing well and doing good" -- forging powerful partnerships among employees, consumers and service partners to transform the communities in which they live and work. To learn more about Timberland, please visit www.timberland.com.