Resilience in a Tough Year: A First Look at Our 2025 Sustainability Progress Report

If 2025 taught the outdoor industry anything, it’s that sustainability remains critical to our industry, even though it does not get easier when the pressure mounts. Our new 2025 Sustainability Progress Report tells that story in full.

A Storm-Tested Year

2025 was hard for many outdoor businesses. Souring national sentiment on climate, heightened scrutiny of sustainability claims, and unprecedented tariffs all squeezed the industry at once. Companies faced painful choices, and sustainability teams often absorbed the impact. Meanwhile, the planet kept sending reminders of why this work matters—2025 ranked as the fourth-warmest year on record for the U.S.

And yet, the headline from this year isn’t retreat. It’s resilience.

Engagement Is Up—Even as Progress Dipped

Participation in the Climate Action Corps (CAC) and Clean Chemistry & Materials Coalition (CCMC) jumped 36% from 2024 to 2025, with 114 outdoor companies taking part. Even as budgets shrank and headcounts fell, more companies chose to lean in, not step back.

The report doesn’t hide where the industry came up short. Across CAC, key climate indicators—emissions measurement, target-setting, and reduction progress—declined year over year. In CCMC, members broadened supplier conversations about chemicals management, but formal RSL communication slipped, especially deeper in the supply chain. We share the full breakdown, along with our honest read on what’s driving these shifts.

The Bright Spots

Behind the aggregate numbers are members doing remarkable work despite the headwinds. A few previews:

  • Burton achieved a 41% absolute reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions and a 39% cut in Scope 3, both from a 2020 baseline.
  • LifeStraw built a detailed roadmap toward its 2030 SBTi commitments—reducing Scope 3 emissions relative to operating costs by 62% since 2019.
  • KEEN joined a first-of-its-kind pilot developing low-carbon pathways for industrial chemicals critical to footwear.
  • Patagonia and Norrøna raised the bar on supply-chain chemical management, from rigorous supplier standards to stricter materials certifications.

These stories prove the harder, later-stage work is achievable..

Where We Go From Here

The report closes with our commitments to members for the year ahead: more education and tools for GHG measurement and target-setting, deeper support for engaging suppliers beyond Tier 1, continued collective impact reduction opportunities, and advocacy on the industry’s behalf at the state and federal levels. Our goal is simple—to provide tools and education that make compliance and impact easier.

Read the Full Report

Our 2025 story is one of an industry weathering a storm on solid foundations. Emissions measurement remains strong, supplier engagement is broadening, and our members’ commitment hasn’t wavered. The frontier now is turning goals into funded action and extending progress deep into the supply chain.

The full report dives into the complete data, member spotlights, and our roadmap for supporting you in 2026 and beyond.

Read the 2025 CAC & CCMC Progress Report 

Interested in joining the Climate Action Corps or Clean Chemistry & Materials Coalition? Learn more about our sustainability programs.

 

2025 OIA Sustainability’s Impact Report

A Year of Collective Progress for the Outdoor Industry

2025 was a defining year for the outdoor industry—tested by unprecedented tariffs, economic pressure, and mounting compliance obligations, yet strengthened by collaboration. OIA Sustainability’s first-ever Impact Report captures the year in full, with more than 500 individuals from 118 companies driving collective progress across climate, chemistry, and compliance—from Climate Action Corps milestones and a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement supporting 18.5 megawatts of renewable energy to new Clean Chemistry guidebooks, expanded policy resources, and the launch of OIA Learning. Whether you’re shaping strategy, tracking progress, or building industry partnerships, this report shows what’s possible when the industry chooses collaboration over retreat.

Learn About Membership>

Explore the 2025 OIA Sustainability Program 

Access the report: Click Here

2026 Hiking Report

The Hiking Boom Isn’t Slowing Down

Hiking is now the most popular outdoor recreation activity in America, and for once the headline and the underlying story point the same direction. A record 63.4 million Americans went hiking in 2024, 20.5% of the population ages 6 and older, capping a climb that has nearly doubled the hiking community since 2012 and added more than 13 million new participants since 2019. But the more telling number sits beneath the surface: even as the base expands, hikers are getting out more often, not less. 16.7 million are now “core” hikers who hit the trail 13 or more times a year, and that segment is growing faster than participation overall — a 7.6% five-year average annual growth rate for core hikers versus 5.2% for hiking as a whole. In a category where rising participation usually comes with falling frequency, hiking is doing something rare: growing on both fronts at once.

OIA’s 2026 Hiking Report is now available. The report breaks down hiking participation by demographic, region, income, age, and education, examines hiking’s role as the primary gateway into the broader outdoor industry — over 90% of hikers also take part in other activities — and highlights where the biggest opportunities lie, from middle-aged adults to the untapped growth among communities of color still facing access and safety barriers on the trail. Check out the report for the key findings and what they mean for the industry.

Download the Summary>

Are you an OIA member?

Access the report: Click Here

Guide to Comply

Stay Ahead of Sustainability Compliance

Keeping up with sustainability laws across the U.S. and Canada is becoming increasingly complex—and the cost of falling behind is rising. OIA’s updated 2026 Guide to Comply cuts through the noise with a 20+ page resource covering the specific regulations impacting the outdoor industry right now, from climate accountability and PFAS rules to Extended Producer Responsibility and green claims best practices. Whether you’re navigating new state-level emission mandates or refining your sustainability messaging, this guide gives your team the clarity needed to stay compliant.

Learn How to Access This Resource>

Are you an OIA member?

Access the guide: Click Here

Customs & Border Protection Will Pay Tariff Refunds

Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) remains under court-order to refund importers the monies paid (plus interest) and have stopped collecting tariffs levied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”). Refund timing and the process is still not certain but could start in as few as 45 days (est. April 20). 

While CBP figures out the refund process, it is critically important that importers, especially those of you who only import once or twice a year, enroll immediately with CBP to receive electronic refunds via Automated Clearing House (“ACH”). Instructions can be found HERE. CBP estimates that only 6% of the 330,000 importers who paid IEEPA tariffs have completed this step. Importers should also ensure they are actively tracking liquidation dates of impacted entries and deadlines for filing protests. 

Beyond the procedural unknowns, there are still other important questions that remain unanswered, including: 

  • Who is eligible to participate? 
  • What will importers need to do to participate? and, 
  • What will happen to impacted customs entries that: 
  • Have not been protested and are past their 180-day protest deadline; and, 
  • Are past their 90-day liquidation date but within the 180-day protest deadline. 

SSA’s affiliated customs counsel Neville Peterson advises the safest option for importers wanting full refunds to mitigate the risk of falling into one of the currently ambiguous scenarios above is to: 

  • File a 1581(i) lawsuit with the Court of International Trade (“CIT”), and; 
  • File protests for all liquidated entries. 

To review Neville Peterson’s full summary of the events that have unfolded this week and resulting guidance, click HERE. 

Details behind these developments: 

Despite much speculation and widespread mischaracterization in the press that the government intended to challenge having to pay the refunds, CBP has affirmed it will comply with the CIT’s March 4 order. CBP did however declare it is unable to immediately comply with the order due to functionality limitations in ACE, but proposed creation of new mechanism that would “streamline and consolidate refunds and interest payments on an importer basis.” 

Following a conference between the parties at the CIT on March 6th to discuss CBP’s response, Judge Richard Eaton withdrew the requirement for CBP to immediately comply with the order; all other aspects of the order remain in place. 

CBP predicts the proposed refund system could be deployed in as soon as 45 days; they did not specify a predicted timeline for actual refund receipt. 

The proposed mechanism would work as follows: 

The importer files a declaration in ACE that includes a list of entries on which IEEPA duties were paid. 

  • ACE runs a series of validations on each entry within the declaration and automatically re-calculates the duty owed without the IEEPA tariffs (with applicable interest). 
  • CBP verifies the declaration and processes refunds as soon as practicable. 
  • ACE automatically finalizes (liquidates or reliquidates) the entries. 
  • ACE automatically aggregates the refunds with interest by importer and liquidation date. 
  • CBP certifies the refunds. 
  • The Department of the Treasury issues IEEPA refunds electronically via ACH. 

We are continuously tracking this developing issue and will provide additional information as it becomes available. OIA members can access Mobilize or join the Trade Advisory Council for updates and guidance. Not a member? Get in touch today to learn more. 

New BEA Data Confirms Outdoor Recreation’s Economic Strengths and Signals Headwinds Ahead

2024-BEA-Data

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has released new statistics measuring the outdoor recreation economy in 2024 for the nation, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia. This marks the eighth consecutive year that BEA has published federal data tracking the economic impact of outdoor recreation. An important milestone that continues to validate what our industry, communities, and consumers have long known: outdoor recreation is a powerful driver of economic activity, job creation, and national well-being. 

The annual BEA data remains one of the clearest and most credible measures of the outdoor recreation economy’s role in the United States. It helps demonstrate not only the scale of our industry, but also why continued investment in outdoor access, recreation infrastructure, and participation matters for local communities, rural economies, and public health. 

In 2024, the outdoor recreation economy generated $1.3 trillion in gross output, representing the largest overall economic impact in the history of the sector. Outdoor recreation accounted for 2.4% of U.S. GDP, and the industry supported 5.2 million jobs nationwide. Total compensation for outdoor recreation jobs reached $324 billion, or 3.2% of total U.S. wage and salary compensation. 

These numbers underscore the size and significance of the outdoor recreation economy. But they also tell a more complicated story. 

While 2024 marks a new high-water mark in total economic impact, it also reflects the slowest growth of the post-pandemic era. That matters. Because behind the topline gains, the industry is facing real pressure, from affordability challenges and consumer spending constraints to broader economic uncertainty that could shape participation and purchasing behavior in the months ahead. 

The data, paired with participation trends, suggest that Americans still want to get outside. Demand for outdoor experiences has not disappeared. But for many households, the costs associated with getting outdoors—gear, vehicles, travel, services, and even the basics required to participate safely—have become harder to afford. 

This is an important distinction. We are not seeing a collapse in interest. We are seeing a growing gap between desire and ability to participate fully. 

When people spend less on the products and services that support outdoor recreation, it has ripple effects across the economy. It can mean fewer trips, lower participation frequency, softer retail demand, and reduced revenue for the outfitters, guides, campgrounds, manufacturers, and local businesses that depend on recreation-driven visitation. In many communities, especially rural communities, those ripple effects translate directly into fewer jobs, less business activity, and weaker local economic impact. 

That is why these new BEA statistics matter so much. 

Outdoor recreation is more than a consumer category. It is a major contributor to the U.S. economy, a source of jobs in communities of every size, and an engine for rural development. In many places, outdoor recreation supports small businesses, strengthens tourism economies, and helps diversify the local economies tied to public lands, trails, waterways, parks, and recreation infrastructure. 

It also delivers benefits beyond the balance sheet. Outdoor recreation contributes to healthier people and healthier communities by helping more Americans spend time outside, stay active, reduce stress, and build lasting connections to the natural places around them. At a time when the country continues to grapple with physical and mental health challenges, that contribution is both economically and socially significant. 

The 2024 data also highlights shifts across key segments of the outdoor recreation economy: 

  • Conventional outdoor recreation: Bicycling, hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, climbing, RVing, snow sports, and related activities accounted for 29.5% of outdoor recreation’s total contribution to GDP and grew 2% (in value added $) from 2023 to 2024. 
  • Other outdoor recreation activities: Amusement parks, festivals, concerts, sporting events, field sports, and guided tours represented 19% of the sector’s total GDP contribution and grew 5.3% (in value added $) from 2023 to 2024. 
  • Supporting outdoor recreation activities: Construction, travel, lodging, food and beverage, and government expenditures accounted for 51.5% of total outdoor recreation GDP and grew 4.6% (in value added $) in 2024. 

These shifts reinforce a message our industry cannot ignore: the appetite for outdoor recreation remains strong, but participation and spending are becoming more constrained. If we want this sector to continue growing in a durable, inclusive way, affordability and access must remain central to the conversation. 

That means continuing to advocate for policies and investments that: 

  • expand access to outdoor spaces and public lands, 
  • improve recreation infrastructure, 
  • support domestic manufacturing and outdoor businesses, 
  • reduce barriers to participation, 
  • and strengthen the community and economic ecosystems that make outdoor recreation possible. 

As the outdoor industry looks ahead, this year’s BEA data offers both a reason for pride and a call to action. The outdoor recreation economy continues to be a major force in the American economy. But sustaining that strength will require intentional action to ensure people can continue to participate, and that the businesses and communities that support outdoor recreation can continue to thrive. 

Preparing Your Outdoor Business For Sustainability Compliance in 2026

For the outdoor industry, sustainable business practices have moved from nice-to-have initiatives to strict legal requirements. Brands are navigating an increasingly complex system of laws across the United States, Canada, and the European Union (EU) that cover everything from greenhouse gas emissions reporting to green marketing claims.   

This blog post aims to provide a broad overview of sustainability compliance obligations for the outdoor industry, along with actions for meeting those requirements. But before we get into it, we need to start with a short disclaimer. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Readers should consult with qualified legal counsel to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. 

Climate Accountability: Confusion in California 

California is the only state in the U.S. that has enacted climate disclosure laws. The laws mandate companies with over $500M in annual revenue to disclose their climate-related financial risk (SB 261) and mandate companies with over $1B in annual revenue to disclose their scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions (SB 253). Lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of these laws have upended the enforcement timeline. Here’s the latest:  

  • Climate-related risk reporting (SB 261): Under the original regulatory timeline, covered entities were supposed to submit their climate-related risk reports on January 1, 2026. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted an injunction pending appeal for SB 261, effectively pausing the enforcement of the law. Oral arguments were heard in January. Until the Ninth Circuit releases a decision following those arguments, reporting for this law is paused.  
  • Greenhouse gas emissions disclosure (SB 253): The Ninth Circuit did not grant an injunction pending appeal for SB 253. Enforcement of this law is still proceeding as scheduled, which means that covered entities should be preparing to report their scope 1 and 2 emissions in August of this year, and prepare to report their scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in 2027. This schedule is subject to change, pending the ongoing lawsuit challenging SB 253, in addition to SB 261.  

Chemistry: PFAS Regulations Expand in Scope Across the U.S. 

Chemistry is the backbone of performance gear, providing the waterproofing and durability outdoor enthusiasts expect. However, concerns about the harm of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have led to a wave of bans and reporting requirements, including: 

  • Bans on products with intentionally added PFAS: Several states have already enacted bans on the sale of textiles and apparel containing intentionally added PFAS. 
  • Mandatory disclosure labels: Many jurisdictions require a visible label stating that products contain PFAS when on sale in retailers and online.  
  • Reporting requirements: Many states require companies to report products that have intentionally added PFAS. The U.S. government also has a one-time backward looking reporting requirement under TSCA, however, there are proposed changes to this requirement that would significantly reduce and/or eliminate reporting requirements for most outdoor companies.  

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Shifting Responsibility of Products’ End-of-Life  

Governments are increasingly holding producers responsible for the waste their products and packaging create, and are turning to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs. EPR assigns producers financial or operational responsibility for the collection and recycling of their goods, which often entails: 

  • Stewardship organization enrollment: Producers can be required to join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) and pay fees based on the volume and material type of their packaging.   
  • Textile recovery registration: California became the first state in the U.S. to enact a textile EPR program. Brands doing business in California will soon be required to register with a PRO and pay fees to fund the repair, sorting, and recycling infrastructure for apparel and textile articles.   
  • Eco-modulated fees: Many EPR programs are implementing “eco-modulation,” meaning fees are adjusted based on the product’s sustainable attributes.  

Green Claims: Eliminating “Greenwashing” 

Vague claims like “sustainable” or “eco-friendly” are facing global unprecedented scrutiny. Multiple U.S. states and other countries have introduced guidelines to ensure environmental marketing messaging is accurate. While laws differ, outdoor companies generally need to:   

  • Substantiate all sustainability claims: Under current federal guidelines, brands must be able to prove any environmental claim they make with reliable evidence. 
  • Adhere to state-level laws: While every state has laws prohibiting deceptive conduct, many have made “greenwashing” (the act of making false or misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product) a violation of consumer protection laws. 
  • Disclose carbon offset processes: California now requires companies that use “net zero,” “carbon neutral,” or similar terminology to disclose on their website how those claims are achieved (CA AB 1305). 

Ensure Your Outdoor Brand is Compliant in 2026 

As new laws take effect, OIA is here to help outdoor companies implement sustainable business practices and remain compliant. We recently released an updated version of our “Guide to Comply” exclusively for OIA members. This 20+ page resource covers the specific regulations impacting the outdoor industry in 2026. 

In addition to this guide, our Support Plus and Leadership members get access to our Sustainability Policy and Reporting Task Forces. These groups provide time-sensitive alerts as new legislation emerges and a place to discuss compliance challenges with peers.  

If you’re ready to learn more about the benefits of becoming an OIA member, get in touch with us.  

References: 

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/california-corporate-greenhouse-gas-ghg-reporting-and-climate-related-financial 

https://www.whitecase.com/insight-alert/california-climate-disclosure-laws-ninth-circuit-hears-oral-argument-no-ruling-yet 

https://calrecycle.ca.gov/epr/textiles/ 

https://www.persefoni.com/blog/ab-1305 

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1305

The Hidden Challenge of Circularity: Managing Chemical Risks in Recycled Materials

recycled-materials-challenges

Recycling is a cornerstone of the circular economy, aiming to reuse products and regenerate materials to reduce environmental impacts like greenhouse gas emissions. However, as outdoor companies expand their commitments to using recycled content, a significant challenge has emerged: chemical safety. 

Today’s recycling systems are not fully equipped to guarantee that recycled feedstocks are free from hazardous substances. Without strong safeguards, brands and manufacturers risk unintentionally recirculating “legacy” chemicals into their products or even introducing new contaminants caused by the recycling process itself.  

Understanding the Infrastructure Gap 

Recycling capabilities vary wildly across plastics, textiles, paper, and metals. Most current systems are optimized for clean, single-material streams, but real-world waste is often highly mixed and chemically complex. 

In general, there are two common recycling processes that each pose different chemical risks: 

  • Mechanical Recycling: Dominates the market but tends to recirculate rather than remove chemicals, leaving new products vulnerable to contamination. 
  • Molecular (Chemical) Recycling: Can remove unwanted substances, but requires more energy and may result in chemicals of concern released into the environment surrounding the recycling facility.  

Critical Risk Areas for the Outdoor Industry 

For our industry, textiles represent the most critical risk area. Currently, less than 1% of collected textiles are recycled back into new fibers, but those that are often come from sources with unknown chemical histories. 

Factors like limited ingredient transparency and multi-material construction increase the likelihood that restricted substances, such as PFAS, phthalates, heavy metals, and flame retardants, make it into the final product. These risks extend to other materials as well: 

  • Plastics: Often contain non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) and residual chemicals. 
  • Metals: Can inadvertently introduce toxic heavy metals if waste streams are poorly characterized. 
  • Paper: Requires careful management to avoid contaminants found in original coatings and inks. 

A Path Toward Non-Toxic Circularity 

There is currently no comprehensive, affordable testing protocol that can reliably identify every contaminant in every batch of recycled feedstock. And while certifications help manage risk, they do not completely eliminate it. Rather, success depends on rigorous implementation and total supply-chain transparency. 

To move forward, outdoor companies must adopt a systems-level approach to chemical risk. This includes: 

  • Evaluating the origin of feedstocks and sorting processes. 

  • Assessing contamination risks specific to material types. 

  • Collaborating across industry, academia, and policy to develop safer chemistries and better traceability. 

Learn About Chemical Safety with OIA’s New Guidebook 

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) has developed a comprehensive “Chemical Risks of Recycled Materials Guidebook” to equip outdoor companies with the tools and insights needed to safely source recycled materials. It outlines risks by material category, compares recycling technologies, and provides a practical framework for evaluating suppliers and assessing contamination risk based on four key categories: 

  • Original material use, application, and industry.
  • Collection, sorting, and other pre-processing methods.
  • Recycling methods and quality control specifications.
  • End-use application. 

The guidebook is currently available in the OIA Mobilize platform. Not an OIA Support Plus or Leadership member but want to learn more? Get in touch today.