Contributed by Dinesh Mittal

Nike is the world’s largest manufacturer of athletic footwear, with annual global revenue of more than $20 billion. Moreover, in recent years, Nike has been a trendsetter in eco-friendly fashion.

Morgan Stanley has recognized it as having achieved an optimum level of environmental and social performance as an eco-friendly North American apparel and footwear manufacturer . Last year, the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) rated Nike among the leaders in using eco-friendly cotton. Nike achieved this recognition after years of concerted, proactive research on consumer demand.

Helping the environmental healing process

Water treatment facilities and electrical power plants play a huge role in environmental degradation. Thermal power generation uses burning of coal to create heat. That heat, in turn, is used in the production of electricity.

Conserving power and water will allow this sports-goods manufacturing giant to reduce environmental dilapidation. Nike’s collaboration with DyeCoo’s waterless dying technology enables it to slash both its water and power consumption The implementation of new tanning technology also allows the company to use less water.

Companies like Nike who do not compromise on product quality always try to procure the best materials. Keeping in line with its environment-friendly drive, Nike uses some synthetic materials produced under controlled conditions. They reduce the pressure on natural elements like water and soil.

It has also replaced conventional cotton with organic cotton. Organic cotton does not use synthetic fertilizers, which can cause toxic fumes. Their fumes, when released into the air, add to the overall global warming condition.

Use of natural, biodegradable dyed-yarn fabrics for shoes also helps to check environmental degradation. Moreover, these yarns save the company millions of dollars in processing and labor costs. When an organization can save millions by adopting eco-friendly options, it benefits the wider society as well. “Corporate social responsibility” becomes an active policy, not just a buzzword.

Support safe fuel movement

Any manufacturing company needs to transport its raw materials to factories and finished goods from factories to warehouses and markets. All this shipping requires a substantial fleet of vehicles. Burning fossil fuels aggravates global warming. Nike has given a green signal to use of safe fuel for its vehicles. All trucks owned by the company will only run on safe and eco-friendly fuel. They will create no harmful carbon emissions that will ultimately cause a massive hole in the ozone layer. It hopes to attain “absolute zero emission” by the end of 2020.

Policymaking and lobbying

Corporate giants greatly influence world politics. They work to make sure that trade policies are not getting in the way of their profits. From lobbying to bribing, these institutes can go to any length to keep the ball in their own court. Many manufacturers still resist environmental regulation. Nike, on the other hand, is among many countries that have issued a verified Environmental Product Declaration, thereby, putting a price on carbon.

Nike’s ad campaigns have been immensely successful, raking in billions of dollars of profit and making the brand well known and respected. Its prestigious position can influence customers to live green. It can also start a new revolution in the modern garment-manufacturing industry.

Once the more prominent organizations set out on the journey to sustainability, smaller companies will follow their example. Only with cooperation from people from all segments of society, it will be possible to put a stop to a universal menace like global warming.