Nike cuts sustainability staff despite carbon goals

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.