Gore Unveils Sustainability Framework for its Fabrics Division

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced a new sustainability framework for its Gore Fabrics Division which the corporation said reflects its commitment to “protecting people and the planet while prolonging product life and the well-being of people.” A key strategic initiative supporting the framework is a “science-based goal” to reduce carbon emissions by 2030 and to become carbon neutral by 2050.

“With our new sustainability framework, we aim to redefine performance beyond technical product features to the benefit of both people and the planet,” said Ross MacLaine, sustainability team leader of the Gore Fabrics Division. “We will continue to focus our efforts on sustainability led innovations and our initiatives to maximize the societal value we create. Alongside this, there is a continual commitment to work to minimise the environmental impact of our operations and products.”

The sustainability framework is aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, said MacLaine.

In 2019, the Gore Fabrics Division completed an evaluation of its carbon footprint to understand the size and scope of the division´s climate impact. Using 2016 as a baseline, Gore Fabrics followed a methodology in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard, to set carbon goals for its GORE-TEX brand to reduce emissions from production and sourced energy (scopes 1 and 2) as well as from product related emissions (scope 3).

By 2030, plans are to reduce absolute carbon emissions originating in Gore’s manufacturing sites and offices (scopes 1 & 2) by 60%. By 2030, plans are to reduce absolute product related carbon emissions of its GORE-TEX products (scope 3) by 35%. Ultimately, carbon neutrality is expected by 2050.