The North Face has joined Ceres Corporate Network, a network of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organizations working with companies to address sustainability challenges.

, announced today that The North Face, a leading outdoor apparel and gear company, has joined the Ceres Corporate network. Companies that join Ceres endeavor to make continuous strides in improving their sustainability performance and reporting practices, and engage with investors, environmental groups, and other stakeholders.
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With its focus on the well being of the planet and those exploring it, sustainability is a natural core value for The North Face. In 2007 the company took steps to further demonstrate its commitment to sustainability by formally developing a strategy to evaluate and measure the environmental and social impacts of all of its business operations. ¨

¨”Joining the Ceres Network is a great collaboration for The North Face,” said Steve Rendle, president, The North Face and VF Outdoor. “After conducting a baseline assessment of our major environmental and social impacts, we created a comprehensive sustainability strategy that focuses on energy and climate change, elimination of operational waste, sustainable product design, and community engagement.”

In 2010, The North Face will continue its work to formalize its strategy and goals through the engagement of external stakeholders. Some of the company™s current sustainability efforts include:

  • Joining the EPA Climate Leaders program in 2008
  • Investing in a one megawatt solar panel array at its Visalia, CA facility
  • Offsetting 100% of its North American operations energy use with renewable wind energy credits
  • Evaluating and reducing the environmental health and safety impacts of its manufacturing and materials selection as a member of bluesign
  • Actively calling for comprehensive climate and energy policy as a member of Businesses for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP).

“The North Face has taken some important steps, including improving the sustainability of its products and operations as well as advocating for comprehensive climate and energy policy in the U.S. and internationally,” said Mindy Lubber, Ceres president. “Ceres is looking forward to helping The North Face take the next steps necessary to further integrate sustainability into its business strategies by engaging with stakeholders and publishing its first sustainability report.”

Companies that join Ceres must make continuous strides in improving their sustainability performance and reporting practices, and engage with investors, environmental groups, and other stakeholders.