Kathmandu: A Toitū carbonreduce case study
Kathmandu Holdings Limited is an outdoor travel and adventure brand founded in 1987. Kathmandu’s goal is to reduce their organisational carbon footprint by 2020 to 20% below 2012 levels, and their Toitū carbonreduce certification was the next natural step for them to stay on track with their emissions reporting. They are dedicated to minimising their environmental footprint through initiatives like 5-star green buildings, recycling programs and offsetting travel emissions.
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- Toitū carbonreduce certified organisation
Kathmandu has a strong sustainability focus and a brand that reflects its values and those of its customers. Being a good corporate citizen is intrinsic to the company, and it has set an ambitious goal to reduce its carbon emissions to 20% below 2012 levels.
In 2018, Kathmandu achieved Toitū carbonreduce certification from Toitū Envirocare. The certification provides independent endorsement of Kathmandu’s hard work and continuing efforts to lower emissions. The certification ensures Kathmandu has measured its emissions based on standards that meet international best practice.
Since 2016, Kathmandu has saved 525 tonnes of carbon and has invested in a carbon credit project focused on the Hinewai Reserve native bush regeneration on the Bank’s Peninsula.
Kathmandu’s brand is built on the idea that humans and the environment are interlinked. This is apparent in its marketing partnership with explorer Tim Jarvis, who brings awareness to melting glaciers around the world. The Toitū carbonreduce certification validates this marketing campaign in the eyes of customers – who are not afraid to ask about how Kathmandu backs-up its marketing messages!
Kathmandu also uses Toitū Envirocare experts as spokespeople in its video and print materials to provide context and expert insight into work that is underway.
For Kathmandu, sustainability is also a vital link with customers and staff. Being able to measure and report on carbon emissions makes it easy to reassure employees, Kathmandu’s strongest brand ambassadors, of its environmental efforts. Employees can even visit the regenerating Hinewai Reserve to see their carbon credit investment in action.
In 2013, Kathmandu signed up to be a part of the international greenhouse gas disclosure organisation, CDP. CDP recognises organisations like Kathmandu that seek external verification of their carbon reporting. In fact, Toitū Envirocare is a New Zealand and Australia Verification Partner for CDP.
Kathmandu also reports on progress in its yearly Sustainability Report. This year, it included reference to the UN Sustainable Development Goal related to sustainable production and consumption using Toitū carbonreduce certified data to validate its claims. The UN Sustainable Development Goals are a set of goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, agreed to by world leaders at a historic UN Summit.
Oliver Milliner, Kathmandu’s Sustainability Specialist, says that Toitū Envirocare was chosen as a preferred carbon measurement partner based on its experts and their comprehensive understanding of this space.
“If someone is asking us a tricky question, we know that Toitū Envirocare's experts are there to answer questions or be a resource to us,” said Oliver. “They provide a very professional service — and they’re just great people to deal with.”
Kathmandu Holdings Ltd
Kathmandu Holdings Limited is an outdoor travel and adventure brand founded in 1987. They are a publically listed company listed on the NZX and ASX, and have 47 stores, one office and distribution centre in NZ; 116 stores, one office and one distribution centre in Australia; and one store in the UK. They have more than 1900 staff working across these sites.
Kathmandu’s goal is to reduce their organisational carbon footprint by 2020 to 20% below 2012 levels, and their Toitū carbonreduce certification was the next natural step for them to stay on track with their emissions reporting. They are dedicated to minimising their environmental footprint through initiatives like 5-star green buildings, recycling programs and offsetting travel emissions. Validation of its sustainability programmes means the team members knows they are doing good work and can easily measure and report on progress.
For more on Kathmandu's sustainability efforts, have a look at their 2018 Sustainability Report.
Toitū carbonreduce certified organisations
(formerly known as CEMARS)
This certification is awarded to companies that are actively working to measure and manage their carbon footprint.
To achieve Toitū carbonreduce certification, an organisation must measure their organisation’s full greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (also known as a carbon footprint) so they understand what their impact is on the global climate. They measure all operational emissions required under the international standard for carbon footprints, ISO 14064, including vehicles, business travel, fuel and electricity, paper, and waste. The emissions are measured annually and the inventory is independently verified to ensure it is accurate and complete. Once they have measured their footprint, the organisation must develop plans to manage and reduce their emissions continually. As part of achieving Toitū carbonreduce certification, the organisation needs to achieve emissions reductions on a five year cycle.