Nike Slashed Its Sustainability Team

Nike has recently faced significant cuts to its sustainability team, losing about 30% of employees dedicated to sustainability initiatives due to layoffs, voluntary departures, or transfers. This move comes as the company was already falling short of its emission reduction targets. The cuts are part of a broader cost-cutting plan to reduce expenses by $2 billion over three years, impacting roughly 150 sustainability staff members. Despite these layoffs, Nike insists it remains committed to sustainability efforts, with the new chief sustainability officer emphasizing a strategy of embedding sustainability throughout the company. The reduction in sustainability staff raises concerns about Nike's ability to meet its carbon reduction goals, especially as the company's emissions have not decreased as planned since 2015. This shift in focus away from sustainability has drawn criticism, particularly considering Nike's historical leadership in corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives. The company's stock price has also been affected, dropping significantly in recent months.