(Vancouver) A British Columbia non-profit organization says it has asked Canada’s Competition Bureau to investigate sportswear giant Lululemon, arguing the company is misleading customers about its impacts environmental.
A statement from Stand.earth argues that Lululemon used the slogan “Be Planet” as part of its “impact program” released in 2020, but that the company’s own reports since then reveal a doubling of gas emissions Greenhouse effect.
Lululemon’s 2022 Impact Report states that its “products and actions help lead [l’industrie] towards a climate-stable future where nature and people thrive.”
Lululemon’s 2022 Impact Report says the Vancouver-based company aims to achieve a series of climate action goals by 2030, including a 60% reduction in emissions intensity for operations of “scope 3”, which encompasses the manufacturing and shipping of clothing on a global scale.
But Lululemon reports, cited by Stand.earth, show that total emissions for this category reached almost 1.7 million tonnes, up from around 830,000 tonnes in 2020.
These “scope 3” activities represent 99.7% of the company’s total carbon footprint, the 2022 report says. It shows that 16% of emissions in 2022 came from raw materials and 26.8% came from manufacturing industry, while energy consumption in stores and offices accounted for only 0.3%.
According to Rachel Kitchin, climate campaign manager at Stand.earth, although Lululemon claims its products are good for the planet, more than 60% of the materials used in its products are made directly from fossil fuels.
“If Lululemon wants its words to be true, the company needs a clear path to eliminate fossil fuels from its products and manufacturing, and commit to transitioning its supply chain to 100% renewable energies by 2030,” she said.
In response, a company representative said Lululemon “is focused on creating a more sustainable apparel industry that addresses the serious impacts of climate change.”
“We remain committed to working directly with our suppliers, our industrial partners, civil society and policy makers,” he maintained, adding that the company had contributed 10 million in a fund aimed at accelerating climate action in the global clothing industry.
A statement said Lululemon is investing in its “decarbonization plan,” aiming to become a “carbon neutral company” by 2050 with a 90% reduction in its emissions.
Lululemon has so far met its goals of powering its own facilities with renewable electricity while reducing those emissions by 60%, he added.
The company recognizes that the majority of its carbon footprint comes from emissions “within the broader supply chain,” the statement said.
Tzeporah Berman, international program director for Stand.earth, said in a press conference Monday that Lululemon’s branding amounts to “greenwashing,” pretending to be a climate steward while pocketing the profits associated with increased emissions.
“After two years of bringing this issue to the attention of senior management at Lululemon, the company has failed to act, but has stepped up its greenwashing and messaging that it is a global leader,” he said. -she expresses.
With an annual turnover of more than 8 billion, “Lululemon can afford to establish itself as a leader in sustainable development,” declared Mme Berman.
“Lululemon stands out as a company that has the opportunity to make big changes in the world and has one of the largest gaps between its rhetoric and what it actually does on the ground,” he said. she implied.
Stand.earth’s complaint filed
The Competition Bureau confirmed Monday that it had received Stand.earth’s complaint alleging that Lululemon engaged in deceptive marketing practices.
Christopher Rusnak, Vancouver-based lawyer for Stand.earth, revealed at the press conference that nine people had filed the complaint.
The document dated February 8 states that the plaintiffs acknowledge that Lululemon “takes steps to reduce harm caused by its operations and products to the environment,” and the request is not a criticism of those efforts.
Instead, the document points out that criticism is aimed at the company’s marketing campaign, saying it “goes too far” in creating the impression that Lululemon’s actions and products contribute to a healthier planet and environment.