Flying Green
Nike is now flying carbon neutral. Learn more, including how you can do the same for personal travel.
As of January 1, 2008, Nike is now offsetting carbon emissions for all business air travel. Every time you book business air travel, one cent per mile will be charged back to your cost center to purchase carbon offsets. The new travel policy supports our target of making all Nike brand facilities and business travel climate neutral by 2011.
In 2007, Nike partnered with www.climateclean.net to begin buying offsets. Nike takes buying offsets seriously. We vet our partners thoroughly and ensure that the money they gather, funds programs that are high quality, locally relevant and have community attributes in keeping with our Let Me Play philosophy. In 2008, as part of our Beijing Olympics plans, we are working on three renewable energy projects and looking at offsetting shipping our products.
Offsetting air travel carbon emissions is a good step forward for the environment, but traveling less is even better. Nike is working on ways to make it easier for you to collaborate with colleagues around the world without getting on a plane. More to come on that. In the meantime, think about whether a trip really is the best option. What about a conference call? A virtual online meeting? The best way to reduce carbon emissions is not to create them!
Wondering about buying your own carbon offsets when you travel personally? Here’s how. But the biggest impact you can have is to reduce your overall carbon footprint. So, your money is probably better spent buying more energy efficient appliances, carpooling or installing compact fluorescent lights. Check out our list of 23 Things to be Sustainable to help inspire you.
Here are two sites we like where you can learn about how to reduce your overall carbon footprint:
In May, Nike will be hosting a “World Café” on climate change for employees in conjunction with the Empowerment Institute. The Café will enables us to reflect openly on what climate change means for ourselves and our communities, and will be a way for employees to connect with others on climate change. Look for more information this spring.
Nike is also working with The Climate Group to figure out solutions to climate change. Learn more by visiting their site: www.climategroup.org
Confused about Carbon Neutral and Greenhouse gases? Wondering what all of these carbon terms mean? Consult our dictionary