Chapter 3. Ethics & Social Responsibility

Energy & Climate 

Climate change is perhaps the ultimate systems-wide challenge, in our entire planet. Climate change and the related issue of increasing energy demand pose challenges to their business, their industry and society as a whole.

At NIKE, Inc., reducing their own contributions toward climate change is a primary aim of their sustainability strategy. But they know that doesn’t go far enough, so they have also work to provide leadership in the business community toward climate stability.

Their aim is to drive innovation, collaboration and public policy advocacy to deliver carbon reductions across the value chain. 

Labor

NIKE, Inc. has worked to improve labor conditions in their footwear, apparel and equipment supply chains for more than 15 years. They have been working with contract factories to build their human resources management skills and help them reach even higher levels of economic, social and environmental performance. Their work has centered around three fronts:

- Working conditions in factories: Environment, safety and health

- Labor rights, freedom and protections

- Worker's lives outside of the factory and living conditions in their communities

Their aim is to transform there working relationship with contracted factories to incentivize changes that benefit their workers, instill changes in their code, instigate innovation, educate to build management capabilities, address root causes in their own processes, work with the industry, and reward factories achievement.

Chemistry

Nike is committed to making their products in ways that protect workers, consumers and the environment, all while delivering the high quality and performance for which their are known for. One aspect of this commitment is their work to eliminate, reduce and responsibly manage hazardous chemicals in their supply chain.

Water

Water stewardship including attention to water quantity an quality is an essential part of our sustainability strategy. We are working to design products from materials that require less water to produce, and helping material vendors and contract factories to reduce their water-related impacts and eliminate hazardous substances from discharge into water.

Waste 

At NIKE, Inc. they define waste as any material purchase anywhere in their supply chain that does not ultimately end up as a useful component of product, or cannot be reused at the end of product life. This includes packaging, shipping material and product samples, in addition to a wide range of manufacturing waste, such as scrap fabric, leather and rubber. This definition, which is broader than most companies forces them to think about waste at all points across their value chain.

Their ultimate, long-term vision is the conversion of raw materials into finished products with zero waste, as well as “closing the loop” on materials use that is, using only materials that can be fully recycled.

Community

They believe in the power of human potential. They are leveraging the size and reach of their brands to effect positive long-term changes that empower and support the communities which they live, work and play.

Their aim is to deliver focused areas of impact through innovation, partnership, advocacy and movement making, with a stable source of funding to allow for a portfolio of innovation to scale and flourish.