Timberland, the footwear and apparel brand owned by VF Corp aims to offset its carbon footprint by 2030 by establishing a supply chain with a ‘net positive’ impact on the planet. The brand will adopt a two-pronged approach that will affect both ends of the pipeline. It will source all natural fabrics and materials from suppliers whose business is based on regenerative agriculture, while also forging ahead with a circular design approach.

Following last year’s pilot partnership with Other Half Processing to build a responsible leather supply chain, Timberland has now pledged to turn regenerative agriculture into new normal by 2030 by extending the practice to sourcing of other materials, including rubber, cotton, wool and sugar cane.

Regeneratively grazed cattle and regenerative crops allow rest and regrowth of grasses, leading to better food for livestock and healthier and more fertile soil that in turn reduces carbon emissions.

Timberland expects to source 30 per cent of its leather from regenerative sources by 2025. On the circular design front, the brand will improve the quota of recycled materials it uses, including PET bottles and pre-consumer wool or leather scraps. It will also approach design such that each apparel, footwear and accessory item is recyclable, avoiding products are destined to the landfill.