Environmental Activism - Patagonia (2024)

FAQs

What problem is Patagonia solving? ›

We aim to use the resources we have—our voice, our business and our community—to do something about our climate crisis.

By 2025, we will eliminate virgin petroleum material in our products and only use preferred materials. We're reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by creating products with recycled polyester, like our Better Sweater® jackets.

In the run-up to Christmas, the brand ran a poster and PR campaign that told customers 'Don't buy this jacket'. The message was intended to encourage people to consider the effect of consumerism on the environment and purchase only what they need.

Since 1985, Patagonia has pledged 1% of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. We've awarded over $140 million in cash and in-kind donations to domestic and international grassroots environmental groups making a difference in their local communities.

During COP26, Patagonia even announced that it no longer wants to call itself a “sustainable brand”, recognising that despite its efforts, it's still very much part of the problem. The brand now aims to reduce its footprint further, by cutting emissions throughout its supply chain.

The fact that Patagonia uses factory floor scraps and recycled content is a big way they reduce manufacturing emissions caused by the production of raw materials. They recognize that 97% of their emissions are caused by their supply chain.

We support innovative work that addresses the root causes of the environmental crisis and seeks to protect both the environment and affected communities. We focus on places where we've built connections through outdoor recreation and through our network of retail stores, nationally and internationally.

The clothing company and certified B Corp Patagonia serves as a real-world example proving how sustainable business models can be not only profitable but also create social value. Patagonia's performance over its time being a certified B Corp demonstrates that sustainable business models can be successful.

Protect our home planet.

We're all part of nature, and every decision we make is in the context of the environmental crisis challenging humanity. We work to reduce our impact, share solutions and embrace regenerative practices.

Patagonia has already donated $50 million to the Holdfast Collective, and expects to contribute another $100 million this year, making the new organization a major player in climate philanthropy.

Who is Patagonia's target audience? ›

The target market of Patagonia is active people who are environmentally conscious and are willing to spend more on sustainable products.

Patagonia believe the best way to produce environmentally friendly, sustainable clothing is to make the products as low impact at their origin but also as high quality as possible so they last the test of time and then if they do become worn, repair them and wear them again.

In 2002, 1% for the Planet was founded by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, to "encourage more businesses to donate 1% of sales to environmental groups".

Yvon Chouinard, founder of outdoor clothing and gear retailer Patagonia, gave up his billionaire status after giving the company to a trust and a nonprofit in September 2022.

Patagonia works hard to keep its products out of landfills. They collect and refurbish their old gear as part of five waste combating principles: Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle and Reimagine. A program called “Worn Wear” allows consumers to buy used, as well as trade in and fix their gear.

Protect our home planet.

We partner with grassroots organizations and frontline communities to restore lands, air and waters to a state of health; to arrest our addiction to fossil fuels; and to address the deep connections between environmental destruction and social justice.

Last year, Patagonia revised their mission statement to the bold declaration: "We're in business to save our home planet." They're a leading brand that takes a stand on social issues that matter to their purpose. It gives smaller businesses courage to speak up.

Patagonia funds only environmental work. We give grants to organizations that identify the root causes of problems and approach issues with a commitment to long-term change.