Native Shoes: Crafting Sustainable Footwear Solutions

Native Shoes is a pioneering brand, dedicated to making a positive impact on both people and the planet through their commitment to sustainability. Founded on the belief that businesses should play a crucial role in addressing environmental challenges, Native Shoes has undertaken significant steps to live lightly and reduce their carbon footprint.

Sustainability at the Core

At the heart of Native Shoes' ethos is their iconic Jefferson shoe, standing out as one of the lowest-impact shoes in the market, with an impressively low carbon footprint of just 3.85kg CO2e per pair. This commitment to sustainability is not merely a tagline; it is a guiding principle embedded in every aspect of the brand's operations.

Climate Commitments

Native Shoes is resolute in their climate goals, aligning their efforts with the Paris climate agreement. They are committed to reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by an ambitious 42% by 2030, with a base year of 2020. In an industry where environmental impact is a growing concern, Native Shoes stands out with a commitment to measuring and reducing their Scope 3 emissions, a noteworthy decision for a Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME).

Understanding Carbon Emissions

Native Shoes distinguishes between Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, with Scope 1 emissions being direct and proudly reported as zero due to their unique operational structure. Their Scope 2 emissions, representing minimal direct control, are already at an impressive 0.2%, thanks to sourcing electricity from renewable sources in Vancouver. This figure is set to decrease even further as the brand plans to switch entirely to renewable energy.

Scope 3 Focus Areas

Native Shoes places significant emphasis on addressing Scope 3 emissions, which constitute a substantial 99.8% of their overall footprint. A comprehensive breakdown of these emissions reveals a proactive approach, with a primary focus on energy consumption in the manufacturing process (42% of footprint) and raw materials and packaging (36% of footprint).

Innovative Measures

To achieve their sustainability goals, Native Shoes has embraced innovative measures. The brand has implemented the BMO Radicle carbon emission accounting software platform, allowing them to monitor, measure, reduce, and report their yearly carbon impact accurately. This data-driven approach ensures transparency and accountability.

Materials and Material Selection

Native Shoes demonstrates a conscious effort in material selection, recognizing that 36% of their carbon footprint is attributed to raw materials and packaging. Noteworthy initiatives include incorporating Sugarlite™ in core styles and consciously choosing bio-based components in new styles where possible. This commitment to sustainable materials reflects a dedication to minimizing environmental impact at every stage of production.

Consumer Involvement: The Remix Project

Native Shoes encourages consumers to actively participate in their sustainability journey. The Remix Project, a flagship recycling initiative, allows customers to give their well-loved shoes a second life. Whether through donation, gifting, reselling, or utilizing the Remix Project, Native Shoes fosters a sense of responsibility in customers to reduce the impact of their footprint.

Moving Forward

Native Shoes recognizes that their carbon footprint is just one facet of their brand's impact. Beyond environmental considerations, they actively engage in building connections, spreading kindness, and creating positive social change in their communities. This holistic approach showcases Native Shoes' commitment to a sustainable future and invites consumers to join them on this journey to live lightly.

Follow Native Shoes to stay updated on their initiatives and learn more about their impactful Remix™ Project.