Nairobi/ Herzogenaurach,
Germany, 18 November 2009 - Sportlifestyle
brand PUMA will become the first major sportswear
company to join the Climate Neutral Network
of the United Nations Environment Programme,
the company announced at its 7th annual
stakeholder meeting "Talks at Banz"
at the Banz monastery in Germany. The cooperation
is in line with its sustainability concept
PUMAVision and underpins PUMA's efforts
to contribute to a low carbon society.
PUMA will reduce its
carbon footprint by converting to green
energy such as solar power and other renewable
sources, optimizing travel and logistics
to reduce transport-related emissions and
leasing more fuel-efficient cars for its
company fleet, among other measures. The
plan covers the breadth of PUMA's worldwide
operations, from direct emissions from PUMA's
offices, stores and warehouses to staff
business travel and the shipping of goods.
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General
and UNEP Executive Director, said: "By
becoming the first global sport brand to
join the Climate Neutral Network, PUMA is
showing how sport can play a powerful green
role in a low-carbon world. Sport has the
unique ability to catalyze action among
millions of people around the world - we
look forward to working with PUMA to green
mass sporting events and to engage sports
men and women and fans around the world
on the environmental challenges facing this
generation."
Jochen Zeitz, CEO of PUMA,
said: "We at PUMA constantly strive
to make our contribution to environmental
protection and mitigate PUMA's negative
impact on our planet. Most scientists agree
that the continued unlimited emission of
greenhouse gases will lead to irreversible
damages to our climate and ecosystem. PUMA's
strategy to reduce its carbon footprint
is a significant milestone within our sustainability
concept PUMAVision that looks ahead to a
world that is safer, more peaceful and more
creative for the generations to come."
The company's Head Office
in Germany already uses renewable energy
including concrete core temperature control
and solar power for electricity and water
heating. Similarly, its Boston office has
a large-scale solar power station.
PUMA also helps its
suppliers to work actively to reduce their
own emissions - its South African supplier,
Impahla Clothing, became the first Carbon
Neutral apparel supplier on the African
continent. In addition, the company says
it will work with industry peers to develop
a common industry framework and share best
practice.
"As a supporter
of the UN Global Compact, PUMA endorses
the Seal the Deal! Campaign supporting the
signing of a binding international agreement
on Climate Change following the Kyoto Protocol,"
the company says in its carbon neutral strategy.
Notes to Editors:
PUMA is one of the world's
leading sportlifestyle companies that designs
and develops footwear, apparel and accessories.
It is committed to working in ways that
contribute to the world by supporting Creativity,
SAFE Sustainability and Peace, and by staying
true to the values of being Fair, Honest,
Positive and Creative in decisions made
and actions taken. PUMA starts in Sport
and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance
and Lifestyle labels include categories
such as Football, Running, Motorsports,
Golf and Sailing. The Black label features
collaborations with renowned designers such
as Alexander McQueen, Mihara Yasuhiro and
Sergio Rossi. The PUMA Group owns the brands
PUMA, Tretorn and Hussein Chalayan. The
company, which was founded in 1948, distributes
its products in more than 120 countries,
employs more than 9,000 people worldwide
and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach/Germany,
Boston, London and Hong Kong. For more information,
please visit www.puma.com
The Climate Neutral
Network
Launched in February
2008, the Climate Neutral Network (CN Net)
is a high-profile outreach initiative led
by the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) to promote a global transition to
low carbon economies and societies. Today,
the CN Net has over 170 participants, including
ten countries, three regions, 16 cities,
approximately 100 private companies, UN
agencies and leading NGOs that have set
some of the world's most ambitious greenhouse
gas reduction targets.
Based on a free of charge,
interactive website http://www.unep.org/climateneutral,
the CN Net gives participants a platform
to present their strategies in climate neutrality
to the world, providing visibility and inspiring
others. It functions as a network for information
exchange and sharing of practical experiences,
making the best available knowledge on climate
neutrality widely available to all.
UNEP
UNEP, established in
1972, is the voice for the environment within
the United Nations system. UNEP acts as
a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator
to promote the wise use and sustainable
development of the global environment. To
accomplish this, UNEP works with a wide
range of partners, including United Nations
entities, international organizations, national
governments, non-governmental organizations,
the private sector and civil society.
