Congressional Action is an Essential Step Toward a Thriving Planet
BOULDER, Colo. – Today, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) commended the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis for releasing its action plan to solve the climate crisis. The goal of the roadmap is to “build a prosperous, clean energy economy that values workers, advances environmental justice, and is prepared to meet the challenges of the climate crisis.”
“We applaud these members of Congress for putting forth a plan to tackle an imminent risk to our planet and our way of life with aggressive but attainable goals,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of OIA. “The outdoor industry is all too familiar with the devastating impacts of climate change. Through OIA’s Climate Action Corps and a Climate Policy Committee, we are committed to fighting climate change on two fronts: Through sustainable business practices and annual reporting designed to reduce our industry’s carbon footprint and through advocacy to help shape meaningful climate policy. It is essential for us to work together with policymakers and other stakeholders to provide a sustainable, thriving planet for generations to come.”
More than 80 outdoor companies, including The North Face, Patagonia and Nemo Equipment, have joined the OIA Climate Action Corps. In so doing, they have committed to measure their carbon footprints, set aggressive emission goals, make reduction plans and share their progress publicly every year. In tandem, the Climate Policy Committee, which includes representatives from VF Corporation, Burton, Columbia, Klean Kanteen, Orvis, W.L. Gore, and REI, is working to develop climate policy priorities that reflect the industry’s commitments and guide the advocacy work of the Climate Action Corps and the broader outdoor industry.
In a letter sent to congressional leaders in May, OIA and more than 60 companies asked lawmakers to prioritize policies to reduce carbon emissions in any transportation, energy, and infrastructure provisions they consider as part of COVID-19 economic recovery efforts.
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About the Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves 1300 manufacturer, supplier, sales representative and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation and outdoor participation. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.
