04.08.2021

Under Armour Announces Commitments to Tackle Climate Change

As part of its vision to preserve the planet for generations of Focused Performers to come, Under Armour announced today three commitments to reduce the impacts of its operations on the environment. As climate change emerges as a key focal point of its corporate sustainability efforts, Under Armour commits to ultimately transition all energy use in owned and operated facilities to 100% renewable sources by 2030 – and to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.

 

“We want Focused Performers, our teammates and our communities to thrive with clean air, water, and home fields,” said Under Armour VP and Chief Sustainability Officer, Michael Levine. “Our commitment to specific climate targets and milestones allows us to align our business planning with the future we want to see – the best performance imaginable on the cleanest planet Earth possible.”

 

Specific Under Armour commitments announced include:

 

  • Reduce absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 from a 2018 base year, a science-based emissions target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
  • Increase annual sourcing of renewable electricity in owned and operated facilities to 100% by 2030, with an interim goal of 80% by 2025. This announcement comes as Under Armour joins RE100.
  • Achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as a pledge to Business Ambition for 1.5°C Campaign, an urgent call-to-action backed by a global coalition of UN leaders, businesses and NGOs. The campaign is led by SBTi in partnership with the UN Global Compact and the We Mean Business coalition.  

These targets align with the SBTi science-based criteria and the RE100, respectively. The reduction of the scope 1 and 2 portion of Under Armour’s science-based target are also consistent with the levels required to keep warming to 1.5°C, the established goal of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. The Science Based Targets initiative is a collaboration between the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi defines and promotes best practices in science-based target setting and assesses and approves corporate emissions reduction targets. There are over 1,200 companies taking action with the SBTi worldwide.

 

Under Armour will provide updates on progress against these climate goals and continue to explore opportunities to partner with other climate change innovators and leaders in pursuit of sustainable business approaches.

 

“We’re dedicated to not only making a better product, but a better world. We will be transparent about the challenges we must tackle and plan to partner with others to explore innovative approaches to mitigating environmental impacts.”

Michael Levine, Under Armour VP and Chief Sustainability Officer

Aleksandra Klassen, Senior Impact Manager, RE100 @The Climate Group said: “I am delighted to welcome Under Armour to RE100. By committing to 100% renewable electricity by 2030, Under Armour is joining a growing number of companies committed to driving market change. This sends a powerful message that renewable electricity makes good business sense, and we encourage others to follow.”

 

“We congratulate Under Armour for setting emission reduction targets in line with climate science and the goals of the Paris Agreement,” said Cynthia Cummis, Director of Private Sector Climate Mitigation at World Resources Institute, one of the Science Based Targets initiative partners. “As a leader in their sector, Under Armour's actions will raise the bar for ambition in the industry."

 

Under Armour is also a signatory to America Is All In, a statement from communities, businesses, and institutions calling on the Biden Administration and the U.S. Congress to prioritize a climate change agenda.