The North Face (VF Corporation) sustainability score: 36/100

VF Corp reports Scope 1&2 emissions of 71,130 tCO2e (FY2025), verified by third-party assurance and following GHG Protocol methodology. Data shows 29% reduction from FY2017 baseline with granular facility breakdown via CDP Climate disclosures. However, inconsistent year-on-year trending due to 2024 methodology restatement limits confidence.

Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and upstream transport stand at ~5.2 million tCO2e (CY2024), quantified using Higg FEM assessments across 300+ supplier factories. Supply chain emissions remain 19% above FY2017 baseline despite methodology rigour, indicating measurement capability exceeds actual emissions reduction.

Scope 1&2 down 29% from FY2017; Scope 3 still 19% above baseline with only 7% year-on-year reduction attributed mainly to lower production volumes, not structural decarbonisation. VF Corp is not on track for its 2030 Scope 3 target of 33% reduction. Stand.earth confirms lagging supply chain decarbonisation.

VF Corp achieved 29% renewable electricity in FY2025 via RECs and on-site solar, regressing from 36% in FY2024 despite RE100 membership and FY2026 target. Invested in utility-scale solar (South Carolina, 47,000 MWh/year) but has no renewable energy target for supply chain where bulk consumption occurs.

VF Corp has deforestation-free leather policy and sources 94% sustainable cotton. Traces 61% of key materials across five supply chain tiers. However, no TNFD disclosure, no formal biodiversity assessment, and Mongabay reported links to illegal logging in Cambodian supplier biomass chains. No quantified nature footprint.

VF Corp achieved zero-waste distribution centres, surpassed recycled polyester target (64% vs 50% by FY2026), and diverted 27,000 tons of single-use plastic through Naked Delivery. North Face Renewed sold 96,000 items, negligible against hundreds of millions of new units. Lacks closed-loop systems or comprehensive circularity targets.

Tier 1–2 suppliers used 71 million m³ water (2023) in water-intensive supply chain. VF completed new water risk assessment covering 1,000+ factories using WRI Aqueduct and WWF Water Risk Filter. Wastewater discharge standards applied to facilities >50 m³/day. But no time-bound reduction targets for own operations or pollution reduction disclosed.

VF Corp has SBTi-revalidated absolute reduction targets: 55% Scope 1&2 and 33% Scope 3 by FY2030 (FY2017 baseline). Scope 1&2 target is 1.5°C-aligned. No heavy offset reliance. However, VF is significantly off track on Scope 3 with ~5 years remaining.

VF Corp publishes annual Environmental & Social Responsibility reports, CDP Climate and Water disclosures, third-party data assurance, and GRI/SASB-aligned reporting. Board-level oversight and public supplier lists (1,214 on Open Supply Hub). However, executive compensation not linked to sustainability targets and North Face lacks brand-specific sustainability reporting.

The North Face completed PFAS elimination by mid-2025 after D/F grades from US PIRG. VF Corp's U.S. Chamber of Commerce membership opposes ambitious climate policy including the Inflation Reduction Act, conflicting with membership in climate-positive groups. No formal industry association lobbying audit published. No major regulatory fines or violations found.