Type: OIA Press Room

OIA members now have expanded, discounted access to tools that allow them to easily measure their carbon emissions

 

BOULDER, CO [March 28, 2023] — Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is proud to announce its latest partnership with Climate Neutral to make it easier for OIA members to measure their carbon emissions. By partnering with Climate Neutral, OIA is demonstrating its commitment to supporting sustainability in the outdoor industry and providing its members with the tools and resources they need to make a positive impact on the environment.

OIA members can now receive a 25% discount for use of Climate Neutral’s Brand Emissions Estimator (BEE), enabling brands to measure their Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is the critical first step to setting emissions reduction targets. Climate Neutral prioritizes ease of use and a high integrity carbon measurement approach that can be adopted by companies at any step of their climate journeys. The BEE is a valuable tool that can help businesses visualize their carbon emissions and identify areas where they can take future reduction actions.

“Since Climate Neutral’s 2019 launch, we have enjoyed a close connection to the vision, brands, and individuals in the outdoor community,” said Austin Whitman, CEO of Climate Neutral. “Climate change directly affects everyone’s outdoor experience. Our expanded collaboration with OIA is an exciting way to combine our strengths and get more companies past the hurdles to climate action, and then make climate leadership more visible to consumers.”

This partnership supports both Climate Neutral’s mission to eliminate GHG emissions and OIA’s goal of making the outdoor industry climate positive by 2030. In the long run, the use of the BEE tool and achievement of Climate Neutral certification by a significant number of OIA members offers a tangible milestone on the pathway towards OIA’s industry goal of becoming climate positive by 2030.

“OIA in partnership with Climate Neutral is proud to offer the BEE tool as an added membership benefit. We see this as a highly valuable stepping stone for OIA’s Climate Action Corps to reach our 2030 goal of making the outdoor industry climate positive,” said Sarah Rykal, senior manager of OIA’s Climate Action Corps. “The BEE tool offers outdoor industry companies a user-friendly tool to measure their emissions at a low cost of entry, particularly for companies who are beginning their sustainability journey.”

 

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. For more than 30 years, OIA has served as the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation. The association provides its members with insights, advocacy, and opportunities for action that support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all.  For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org

 

About Climate Neutral

A 501(c)3 nonprofit, Climate Neutral leads a global movement of individuals and companies to eliminate carbon emissions. Our label, Climate Neutral Certified, is a trusted, independent standard for climate neutrality. It empowers consumers to find brands that are leading on immediate climate action. All companies that get certified must reduce and compensate for their emissions from making and delivering all of their products and services. Climate Neutral works with over 400 companies and their label can be found on millions of products worldwide. Join us at climateneutral.org

 

OIA Board of Directors appoint respected industry veteran to drive member-led collective into the future

BOULDER, COLO [March 21, 2023] — Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Board of Directors has today named industry veteran Kent Ebersole as President of Outdoor Industry Association after serving seven months as the organization’s interim executive director.

An outdoor industry veteran, Ebersole came to OIA in August of 2022 with a broad range of experience in media, business strategy, and non-profit consulting. Combining decades of experience in the outdoors, with his community-driven outlook, Ebersole’s wisdom in all facets of the industry make him well-equipped to lead OIA into the future.

“Every OIA member, staff, board member, or donor is a catalyst for knowledge, sustainability, collective action, inclusion, and connection,” said Kent Ebersole, President of OIA. “Collectively, the outdoor industry is a force of nature and most importantly a force of change. None of the work we do could happen if it wasn’t for our passionate members and collaborators. I thank them and the OIA board for this opportunity to lead our industry forward.”

The appointment of Ebersole as President is a strategic move on behalf of OIA as the organization and its membership look to his guidance, vision, and expertise to drive positive change within the outdoor industry. Ebersole will leverage his industry network to identify new opportunities for economic growth, deliver new programming for clean manufacturing, focus on timely and relevant membership experiences, and increase membership value while also advocating for pragmatic trade policies and inclusive practices.

“Over the past several months, the OIA Board of Directors had the pleasure of seeing how Kent’s leadership, strategic mindset, personal connection, and dedication to collaboration will benefit an industry in change,” said Phyllis Grove, Senior VP of Marketing for Helen of Troy Home & Outdoor and OIA Board Chair. “We are confident in the map he has drawn for us all and we are ready to work alongside him to move the industry forward.”

“I am beyond proud of everything OIA does, from the Climate Action Corps, leading the way to becoming a climate positive industry by 2030, to our multi-year Thrive Outside grants led by partners who already know what their communities need to have access to the physical, mental and emotional benefits of the outdoors,” added Ebersole.

Ebersole hopes to inspire industry leaders and stakeholders to work together toward a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone included in the outdoor industry.

 

About 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. For more than 30 years, OIA has served as the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation. The association provides its members with insights, advocacy, and opportunities for action that support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all.  For more information, visit  outdoorindustry.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2023

BOULDER, Colo. – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) President Kent Ebersole today released the following statement praising President Biden’s White House Conservation in Action Summit announcement to establish two new national monuments:

“From Utah – where OIA strongly advocated for the protection of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante – to Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada and Castner Range National Monument in Texas, we are thrilled to see President Biden protecting communities and public lands that honor local businesses, military veterans, and Tribal Nations.

“The Biden administration continues to deliver on the most ambitious land and water conservation agenda to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The outdoor industry, along with its 100-member strong Climate Action Corps, commends these historic investments and national monument designations to protect and support America’s outdoor heritage. Protecting our local communities and businesses through conservation and preservation is essential to ensuring that every generation of American – present and future – will have guaranteed access to these culturally significant landscapes.”

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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. For more than 30 years, OIA has served as the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation. The association provides its members with insights, advocacy, and opportunities for action that support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all.  For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2023

 

BOULDER, Colo. – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) interim Executive Director Kent Ebersole today released the following statement celebrating the reintroduction of “America’s Outdoor Recreation Act” in the Senate:

“After building significant support for the legislation in the last Congress with lawmakers, industry leaders and other stakeholders, we are thrilled to see Senators Manchin and Barrasso reintroduce this historic comprehensive outdoor recreation bill. This package would provide meaningful support for outdoor recreation opportunities across the country at a time when a record number of Americans are getting outdoors and benefitting from the mental and physical health benefits these spaces provide.

“Federal outdoor recreation legislation will have a real impact on the ability of all Americans – regardless of zip code – to spend time outside and will bolster the $862 billion outdoor industry and its 4.5 million jobs in communities across all 50 states.

“We applaud these forward-thinking lawmakers for their leadership and commitment to improving access to America’s lands and waters. We also greatly appreciate the strong interest from Houses members—including Reps. Curtis and Neguse—in producing similar bipartisan companion legislation. We were very excited to learn this week of plans for a legislative hearing in the House to consider several bills that could be incorporated into the House version of this legislation. We thank House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Grijalva for prioritizing this legislation and taking action in their committee to move us closer to final passage of this important legislation.”

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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. For more than 30 years, OIA has served as the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation. The association provides its members with insights, advocacy, and opportunities for action that support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all.  For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 16, 2023

BOULDER, Colo. – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) interim Executive Director Kent Ebersole today released the following statement commending the re-introduction of the bicameral, bipartisan Outdoors for All Act:

“Regardless of location, background, or income, all Americans deserve parks and green spaces that are within walking distance to their homes. Unfortunately, more than 100 million Americans live without suitable access to the outdoors. We are thrilled to see Congress prioritizing inclusive outdoor recreation programs in low-income, urban communities across the nation.

“This legislation will provide traditionally underserved communities with the resources they need to revitalize their neighborhoods and invest in new green spaces, which in turn will provide countless economic opportunities and mental and health benefits.

“Addressing outdoor equity in our country must be a priority and we applaud U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Susan Collins and U.S. Representatives Nanette Diaz Barragán and Michael Turner for leading the way to provide sustainable and accessible outdoor experiences for all – regardless of zip code.”

The outdoor industry — which contributes $862 billion outdoor industry and supports 4.5 million employees — is committed to ensuring each person the opportunity to enjoy outdoor spaces in their own community by supporting public-private initiatives to create more close-to-home infrastructure projects in communities that have been traditionally underserved and lack many of the amenities that contribute to a higher quality of life. These projects include accessible walking and bike paths, “parkifying” underpasses, beautifying alleyways, redesigning green space in industrial buildings.

The outdoor industry and its partners are working with policymakers to focus on increasing protection and accessibility to natural areas near cities, especially those with historical ties to nature-deprived groups. By increasing the voices and representation of our diverse populations, more people will be encouraged to participate in outdoor recreation.

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About 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. For more than 30 years, OIA has served as the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation. The association provides its members with insights, advocacy, and opportunities for action that support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all.  For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.