Type: OIA Press Room

 BOULDER, Colo. – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) President Kent Ebersole today announced U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, D-WV, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, as a recipient of OIA’s Friend of the Industry Award.

“Senator Manchin played an instrumental role in the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act’s $369 billion in new funding for climate solutions and infrastructure. Additionally, his sponsorship of the ‘America’s Outdoor Recreation Act’ – the most comprehensive outdoor recreation package since the Kennedy administration – is instrumental for the future of our industry and access to our public lands and waterways for the record number of outdoor participants. We are grateful for Sen. Manchin’s work to sustain and support outdoor recreation opportunities.”

“It is an honor to accept this award from the Outdoor Industry Association,” Senator Manchin said. “OIA has a strong history of advocating for America’s public lands and our beautiful outdoor spaces. As an avid outdoorsmen and son of Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, some of my proudest moments in Congress have been working to protect and conserve the American traditions of hunting, fishing, hiking and more. I look forward to continuing to work with OIA to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy and fall in love with the great outdoors as we all have.”

The Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award is awarded to members of Congress in recognition of their legislative leadership on outdoor recreation issues, protecting public lands and waterways, and supporting the $862 billion outdoor industry and its 4.5 million employees.

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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.

BOULDER, Colo. – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) President Kent Ebersole today announced U.S. Representative Adrian Smith, R-NE, chair of the Trade Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, as a recipient of OIA’s Friend of the Industry Award.

“Rep. Smith is a long-time champion of the outdoor economy and OIA’s balanced trade agenda. He led the effort to add travel goods to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), resulting in $300 million in duty savings annually for outdoor companies and a $5 billion shift of trade out of China. We look forward to continuing to work with him as a leader in the effort to renew GSP and pass a package of miscellaneous tariff bills (MTBs) to support the bottom line of outdoor companies, local businesses, and American communities.”

“I’m honored to receive this award. A strong outdoor industry needs sound trade policy to level the playing field and compete fairly in the global marketplace. We must continue to aggressively pursue American interests to the benefit of businesses, manufacturers, and consumers alike,” said Rep. Smith.

The Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award is awarded to members of Congress in recognition of their legislative leadership on outdoor recreation issues, protecting public lands and waterways, and supporting the $862 billion outdoor industry and its 4.5 million employees.

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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.

Summit agenda outlines industry support for vital legislation to drive innovation, job growth, outdoor recreation, and climate action.

BOULDER, COLO [April 17, 2023] — A member-led collective and the outdoor industry’s catalyst for meaningful change, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) will gather in our nation’s capital April 18-19, 2023, to galvanize outdoor industry leaders, policymakers, and elected officials to advocate for critical issues facing the outdoor economy, outdoor participation, and the planet.

During the two-day event, attendees will meet directly with members of Congress and other administration officials to discuss critical legislation that supports the entirety of the outdoor recreation economy, including key topics like trade, climate, access, and equity. Speakers at Capitol Summit include Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres-Small, and more.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for the outdoor industry to be heard,” said Kent Ebersole, President of OIA. “Since our last Capitol Summit in 2019, more than 10 million Americans participated in outdoor recreation for the first time, or for the first time in years. This increase in the number of people spending time outside was not a moment in time for managing stress from lockdown during a global pandemic. We witnessed a multi-generational mind shift around the physical, mental, and emotional health benefits of spending time in nature, as over half of the U.S. population flocked to the outdoors. This massive spike in participation led to greater spending within the outdoor recreation economy, to a whopping $862 billion in 2021, accounting for 1.9 percent of GDP and a record-breaking 4.5 million jobs in the U.S.” said Ebersole.

Throughout the OIA Capitol Summit, industry leaders will urge Congress to pass America’s Outdoor Recreation Act, the largest comprehensive package of recreation bills in a generation that helps ensure that the outdoors are open and accessible to all Americans. Attendees will also work to fuel the innovation and job growth of outdoor businesses by supporting the passing of a package of miscellaneous tariff bills (MTBs) and renewing the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

Continuing to fight on behalf of the planet and the natural landscapes which so many outdoor activities are dependent upon, Capitol Summit attendees will advocate for greater climate action, conservation, and sustainable economic growth while also showing support for state-based offices of outdoor recreation and increased investments in the outdoors at the state and local levels.

As part of the Capitol Summit, OIA will present The Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award to members of Congress in recognition of their legislative leadership around outdoor recreation and their dedication to supporting the outdoor industry. This year, The Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award will be presented to Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE), and Representative Nanette Barragán (D-CA).

OIA will also host the Thrive Outside Community Gathering, an event centered around outdoor access, equity, and inclusion at Anacostia Park. Hosted by Friends of Anacostia Park, Outdoor Industry Association, and Outdoor Foundation, the event will highlight how the outdoor industry and community organizations are working together to erode the barriers to outdoor access through a collective impact model.

“The OIA Capitol Summit is not simply a two-day long convening to talk policy with elected officials. It’s a time for the outdoor industry to get together, to be reminded of our common goals and values, and to get inspired to kick off a year of activation and advocacy across the federal and state levels. More than ever, with urgency and swift action, OIA is committed to using our “outside voice” to advocate for balanced trade policy; sustainable business solutions; and expanded, safe access to the outdoors for this generation and many more to come,” added Ebersole.

 

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

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.

Burton, New Balance, Patagonia, REI Co-op, W.L. Gore & Associates, and OIA come together through OIA’s Climate Action Corps to Decarbonize the Textile and Apparel Sector

BOULDER, CO [February 13, 2023] — Burton, New Balance, Patagonia, REI Co-op, and Gore’s Fabrics Division (Gore) – five members of OIA Climate Action Corps – and OIA are pleased to release the results of a joint-commissioned study regarding the feasibility of electrifying the textile and apparel industry. The study outlines substantial opportunities to implement practices that save companies money and reduce supply chain emissions. Patagonia served as the main sponsor of the study which OIA helped to facilitate. This collaborative project is the latest in a series of steps the industry is taking to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis.

The study, Electrification of Heating in the Textile Industry: A Techno-Economic Analysis for China, Japan, and Taiwan, explored the potential energy savings, CO2 emissions reductions, and costs for electrification technology pathways. The main findings of the study demonstrate that shifting to industrial heat pumps can lead to substantial energy reductions, reduced CO2 emissions, and lower costs compared to conventional systems. The study also provides several key recommendations for the textile industry and policymakers to scale up electrification in the textile and apparel industry and accelerate carbon emissions reductions.

“One of the biggest issues in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our apparel and textile supply chains is thermal energy – steam and hot water for heating processes in factories. Can we use something other than coal, natural gas, or other fossil fuels? Our study demonstrates how there is an opportunity to decarbonize thermal heating processes in apparel and textile factories in a way that reduces emissions, energy, and cost over time,” said Sarah Rykal, Senior Manager of OIA’s Climate Action Corps. “This is the first research of its kind, and we are thrilled to now be sharing these findings with suppliers in China, Japan, and Taiwan to help increase sustainability on a broader scale. These results impact the entire fashion industry, not just the outdoor industry.”

Burton, New Balance, Patagonia, REI, Gore, and OIA worked with the industrial decarbonization consulting firm Global Efficiency Intelligence to conduct the study. The goal was to gain critical insights into reducing emissions in the apparel industry’s supply chain by shifting from carbon-intensive thermal heating processes currently powered by fossil fuels to more efficient, clean electrified processes where low- or zero-carbon electricity is used. The research focused on the textile industry with a special focus on tier 2 factories – facilities where materials are produced and finished before going into finished products – in China, Japan, and Taiwan, and applies to other geographies.

“Electrification of process heating will play a vital role in the deep decarbonization of the textile industry and apparel supply chain when tied to renewable electricity. However, it seems like not many managers and engineers in the textile and apparel companies are aware of this huge opportunity. There is certainly a need for more work in this area,” said Ali Hasanbeigi, Ph.D., Research Director at Global Efficiency Intelligence and lead researcher for this study.

“Our global supply chain is the source of most of our carbon emissions, so we must work with factory partners to transform how we make products and reduce the harm done in our name,” said Kim Drenner, Head of Supply Chain Environmental Impact at Patagonia. “We joined REI, New Balance, Gore, and Burton to collaborate with the OIA on this study, so the researchers were able to cover a diverse range of factories and stakeholders. This research is a step forward because it provides tangible, cost-effective ways for suppliers and brands to end their reliance on fossil fuels. We look forward to helping implement these improvements.”

The collaborators have also hosted stakeholder engagement activities to inform stakeholders of the research findings and empower them to adopt clean heat processes that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the textile and apparel industry. The research results have been published on GEI’s website.

 

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 Burton

In 1977, Jake Burton Carpenter founded Burton Snowboards out of his Vermont barn and dedicated the rest of his life to snowboarding. Since its founding, Burton has played a pivotal role in growing snowboarding from a backyard hobby to a world-class sport by creating groundbreaking products, supporting a team of top snowboarders, and pushing resorts to allow snowboarding. Today, Burton designs and manufactures industry-leading products for snowboarding and the outdoors. As a sustainability leader within the outdoor and winter sports industries, Burton is the world’s first snowboard company to become a certified B Corporation®. Privately held and owned by Donna Carpenter, Burton’s headquarters are in Burlington, Vermont with offices in Austria, Japan, Australia, Canada, and China. For more information on Burton, head to www.burton.com and follow our line at facebook.com/burtonsnowboards, twitter.com/burtonsnowboard, and @burtonsnowboards on Instagram.

 

About Gore’s Fabrics Division

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. For more information, visit gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

 

About New Balance

New Balance, headquartered in Boston, Ma has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host. Manufactured in the U.S. for more than 75 years and representing a limited portion of our U.S. sales, New Balance MADE U.S. is a premium collection that contains domestic value of 70% or greater. New Balance owns five factories in New England and one in Flimby, U.K. New Balance employs more than 7,000 associates around the globe and in 2021 reported sales of $4.4 billion. To learn more about New Balance, please visit www.newbalance.com and for the latest press information please visit http://newbalance.newsmarket.com.

 

About Patagonia

We’re in business to save our home planet. Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is an outdoor apparel company based in Ventura, California. As a certified B Corporation and a founding member of 1% for the Planet, the company is recognized internationally for its product quality and environmental activism, as well as its contributions of nearly $200 million to environmental organizations. Its unique ownership structure reflects that Earth is its only shareholder: Profits not reinvested back into the business are paid as dividends to protect the planet.

 

About REI Co-op

REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 21.5 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 181 locations in 42 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet, or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.

January 04, 2023, Boulder, CO — Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and Shift Advantage are pleased to announce that Shift Advantage is now an official partner of OIA’s Climate Action Corps, supporting OIA members on their climate journey. With the new Shift Advantage partnership, OIA members can now save up to fifteen percent (15%) on climate sustainability consulting services. *

Shift Advantage has an experienced team of climate and sustainability leaders from the outdoor, apparel, and footwear industry. They have supported dozens of outdoor-related brands and suppliers on their climate journey over the last two decades. Shift Advantage works closely with each client to identify relevant opportunities and provide customized support. Offerings include measuring greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprint), setting emission reduction targets, initiatives for reducing GHG emissions in operations, products, and supply chain, partnerships for removing carbon emissions from the atmosphere, and publishing reports that follow the leading global standards. Shift Advantage enables brands to take action that sets them on a path to success, and they can help your brand achieve OIA Climate Action’s Corps goal for the industry to become climate positive by 2030.

*Savings vary per member and their individual consulting agreement. Please reach out to Shift Advantage to confirm your savings amount.

Please join us on Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 1:00-2:00 pm MT for a special webinar to find out more.

About Shift Advantage:
Shift Advantage utilizes corporate responsibility and sustainability expertise to empower brands to meet new market demands, reduce costs, create competitive advantage, and foster long-term growth. They have proven success in designing and implementing a wide range of sustainability strategies and initiatives for brands of all sizes. By understanding the unique needs of each client, Shift Advantage delivers customized solutions with a focus on business value.

Shift Advantage’s services include: GHG inventories, carbon reduction planning, and climate strategies; climate risk/opportunity assessments; setting Science Based Targets (SBTs); Higg Index assessments; materiality assessments; product, material and packaging lifecycle assessments (LCAs)/footprints and improvements strategies; environmental preferred material guidance, sustainability vision creation, goal setting, and strategies; metrics & KPIs development; supply chain sustainability initiatives and assessments; chemistry programs; employee trainings and engagements; B Corp certification; and sustainability/ESG reports aligned with GRI, CDP, SASB & TCFD requirements. www.shiftadvantage.com