Water scarcity is one of the central environmental and human health issues facing the world. It is also a key concern for our company.
Population growth and economic development are driving increases in demand for water for agricultural, domestic and industrial use. As the world's population grows and climate changes, apparel production begins to compete with the health, living and sanitation demands on water and land.
But we have begun to see our impact on water - and its impact on us - in everything we do. Cotton is a water-intensive material. Finishing and dyeing are water-intensive processes fundamental to today's methods of apparel production. Even the production of leather for footwear demands water. And these impacts count only the raw material inputs. Workers in contracted factories also need fresh, clean water to drink and for sanitation. And communities without access to clean water cannot survive.
But we have begun to see our impact on water - and its impact on us - in everything we do. Cotton is a water-intensive material. Finishing and dyeing are water-intensive processes fundamental to today's methods of apparel production. Even the production of leather for footwear demands water. And these impacts count only the raw material inputs. Workers in contracted factories also need fresh, clean water to drink and for sanitation. And communities without access to clean water cannot survive.
We have incorporated water stewardship into our North Star, and defined it as borrowing water responsibly and returning it clean to communities. This means that where water-intensive production is needed we aim to contract with factories where water is abundant enough to support it. We also collaborate with factories to improve efficiency in order to avoid borrowing more water than is needed and to be able to return it as clean, or cleaner, than it was found.
Working with others in the industry, we have established a program that encourages suppliers' adherence to high water quality standards for all of their production, not just what they produce for Nike. We'll also achieve water stewardship through design and innovation, developing water-efficient processes and materials for Nike product.