Nike has laid off nearly one-third of its sustainability workforce, casting doubt on its commitment to reducing its environmental impact.
Rob Davis reports for ProPublica and Matthew Kish for The Oregonian.
In short:
- Since December, Nike has reduced its sustainability team by 30%, affecting staff focused on environmental initiatives.
- The cuts come as Nike struggles to meet its carbon reduction targets, with emissions having slightly increased since 2015.
- The layoffs were part of a broader $2 billion cost-cutting plan due to flatlining sales.
Key quote:
"Given Nike’s leadership and investment, their retreat is unfortunate, especially in light of the scale and urgency of the challenge."
— Ken Pucker, professor of practice at Tufts University
Why this matters:
Reducing sustainability efforts threatens Nike's environmental goals and undermines public trust in the company's commitment to addressing climate change. This shift could impact global efforts to meet climate targets.
