Understanding Climate Neutral and 1% for the Planet

1% for the Planet and Climate Neutral

We are thrilled to announce that we have joined 1% For the Planet and have become Certified Climate Neutral. These are two huge milestones for us to level up our commitments publicly, and financially in line with our values, and the values of our customers – you!

What is 1% for the Planet? 

1% for the Planet is a global organization that exists to ensure our planet and future generations thrive. They act as an accountability partner for businesses supporting environmental partners through annual membership. They make environmental giving easy and effective through partnership advising, impact storytelling, and third-party certification.

Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet’s members have given millions to environmental partners. Today, 1% for the Planet’s global network consists of thousands of businesses and environmental partners working toward a better future.

Look for their logo to purchase for the planet, learn more, and join at onepercentfortheplanet.org.

What does it mean to be a member of 1% for the Planet?

It means that we at Alpine Fit pledge donation of 1% of our annual sales (yes, sales, it is not based on net profit, it is based on total annual sales) to environmental partners certified by 1% for the Planet. Partners are vetted and approved based on referrals, track record, and environmental focus. With over 5,000 environmental partners in the 1% for the Planet network, every member can support the causes that matter most to them.

What connections does 1% for the Planet have with Alaska?

43 of the 1% for the Planet’s non-profit environmental partners are based in Alaska, meaning that contributions made within the 1% for the Planet network can have both a local and global impact. We are proud to join the other 11 businesses in Alaska that are 1% for the Planet business members. Together we can set an example, and put actual dollars from economic activity in Alaska towards protecting this beautiful planet.

Check out the directory of businesses  and environmental partners here: onepercentfortheplanet.org.

Why supporting 1% for the Planet member businesses matters:

Making buying choices in line with your values is important. Not only do some of the actual revenues of these businesses contribute directly to environmental nonprofits taking on-the-ground action, businesses aligned with 1% for the Planet, and Climate Neutral have sustainability in business operations built into their business practices. For us, at Alpine Fit it means starting with materials from recycled fiber sources, or renewable sources, engineering the production processes and designs to minimize waste and produce long lasting garments and offer long term support of products staying out of landfills through garment repairs and recycling. When you support these kinds of initiatives you are helping reinforce a better way of doing business for a sustainable future. 

Okay, so what is Climate Neutral?

A 501(c)3 nonprofit, Climate Neutral leads a global movement of individuals and companies to eliminate carbon emissions. Their label, Climate Neutral Certified, is a trusted, independent standard for climate neutrality. It empowers consumers to find brands that are leading on immediate climate action. All companies that get certified must reduce and compensate for all of their emissions from making and delivering products and services. Climate Neutral works with over 400 companies and their label can be found on millions of products worldwide. Learn more at climateneutral.org.

What does it mean to be Climate Neutral Certified?

It means that we have committed to neutralizing our CO2 emissions in the environment. How do you do that? Well, it definitely starts for us with business practices that minimize CO2 emissions in the first place, however there is still a carbon footprint to the activities we do engage in. As part of becoming Climate Neutral Certified, the first step is measuring our CO2 emissions from making and delivering our products to consumers. Once this amount is known, then research is done to find organizations that are approved by Climate Neutral that actively reduce CO2 in the environment and offer the purchase of carbon credits. Carbon credits are a price per tonne that you are able to pay to support the organizations to do the work of capturing/reducing a tonne of CO2 in the environment So, if a business that produces CO2 can take some of the funds from that business and give it to organizations that remove CO2, then the CO2 emissions of the business are offset and the business is one step closer to being considered Climate Neutral. The other part of the process is formalizing CO2 reduction plans and committing to timelines to reduce emissions from business practices. These plans are put in effect, tracked and the entire measurement and offsetting process is repeated annually including going through recertification each year. Basically, we have committed to spend money supporting organizations that reduce a specific and measurable amount of CO2 to make up for the CO2 we emit while also reducing how much CO2 we emit. For this year we offset our entire 132 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions through financially supporting projects that reduce deforestation, improve forest management, generate wind energy, and capture and remove emissions from industrial processes.

Are there other Certified Climate Neutral businesses in Alaska?

We have reached out and scoured the directory, and deduced that we may in fact be the first Climate Neutral Certified business in Alaska! We are going to be careful to not state that we are definitely the first, but we are at least among the first! We hope that there will be many more to come! 

What other companies are Climate Neutral?

There is a huge directory of businesses from across the country and across the globe that have gone through the certification process and have taken action spending actual dollars on offsetting their carbon emissions We know and love some of these other businesses, like Wild Rye, a woman owned mountain biking clothing company from Idaho, All Good a reef safe mineral sunscreen company, metal water bottle company Klean Kanteen, Peak Design bags and photography gear (fun fact, they initiated Climate Neutral certification!), Sunski sunglasses company, and so many more! 

We are super excited to join these movements of sustainability in business. Thank you for being here with us!

To celebrate we are having cake on Wednesday August 9th, come join us!