Lowe Alpine commits to achieving NET ZERO by 2030

Equip Outdoor Technologies UK Ltd is an international company headquartered in Derbyshire, UK. Today this brand is proud to own the brands Rab and Lowe Alpine. It designs exceptional products to meet the needs of its active customers, particularly through a selection of sustainable outdoor gear designed for all outdoor enthusiasts. They encourage their teams to thrive and be part of their success.

Equip is pleased to announce that as part of their long-term sustainability strategy, it is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030. Initially, Equip became a "Climate Neutral Company" in November 2020, certified by South Pole, an independent project developer and climate solutions provider.

Matt Gowar, CEO of Equip, explains: "Since our beginnings, our brands have been driven by a single goal: to awaken the climber, the mountaineer in each of us and encourage our customers to enjoy the outdoors as much as we do, with ever more efficient mountaineering equipment.

This is what drives us to preserve and protect the outdoors for future generations and to bring about positive change in the world that goes beyond our brands and products." Gowar continues, "Committing to Net Zero by 2030 is the right thing for us as active mountaineers and for our business. We wanted to act immediately, so being a climate-neutral company has allowed us to act early and take a bold yet decisive step that few other brands take. We will develop our brands and our activities in the right way to enable us to protect the environment in which we thrive."

“Climate Neutral” means reducing emissions and balancing those that remain through carbon credits. These support projects that reduce or eliminate emissions, such as the expansion of renewable energy or the conservation of vital forests and carbon sinks. Achieving “Net Zero” means that Equip will not emit more greenhouse gases than it neutralizes with real carbon removal, particularly by choosing eco-responsibly made products.

South Pole awarded Equip the label “Climate Neutral Company” based on the scope and verification of emissions data from 2019. Indeed, within the company, there are a number of ongoing emission reduction activities:

• Transition to 100% renewable energy at the headquarters and distribution center in the UK

• Transition of the sales fleet to plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicles

• Transition to recyclable materials products and insulation both in synthetic material and P.U.R.E down with some of the most important ranges, as well as to eco-responsible natural materials whenever possible.

• Removal of plastic or replacement of at least 50% of plastic packaging with recycled materials by spring/summer 21.

The Purpose and Various Projects Chosen by Equip

In a first step towards net zero, all current greenhouse gas emissions occurring in the company’s business processes are quantified. Subsequently, a greenhouse gas reduction plan with clear and measurable targets will be established. These targets are set in accordance with climate science. Equip's compensation partner, South Pole, will ensure that the data on which the Net Zero approach is based is verified independently, transparently, and scientifically. Furthermore, it will ensure that all projects contribute to sustainable development goals, also promoting eco-responsible fair trade purchasing.

The projects chosen by Equip include: the Nam Hong hydropower plant in Vietnam; Efficient cooking stoves for women in Nepal; protection of the Kariba forest in Zimbabwe. To support these actions, it is advisable to prioritize technical mountaineering clothing and to opt for affordable mountaineering equipment in line with your responsible approach.

Debbie Read, CSR manager at Equip, comments: "By committing to Net Zero by 2030, we are embarking on an ambitious but essential journey. The climate crisis cannot be ignored and the need to act quickly is evident. Partnering with South Pole allows us to develop a robust process to define an aggressive reduction plan and targets in line with SBT methodology. The opportunity to support significant compensation projects aligned with the SDGs offers immediate and tangible benefits that are both motivating and create an emotional connection for our company."