Sustainability Footwear Forum

Sustainability in the business arena has earned serious media and corporate attention and its merits have been well documented. Although many conferences and publications attesting to its legitimacy and importance have sparked interest, they lacked a defined action plan. True environmental sustainability necessitates an industry-by-industry analysis and therefore no generic manual to success exists. For these reasons, it is essential that the major players in the footwear industry come together and take the first step on this sustainability journey.

Deckers Outdoor and the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management are sponsoring a sustainability forum to showcase the necessity for immediate adoption of sustainable practices – for both the health of the planet and the bottom line. This discussion-based educational forum will provide industry leaders, prominent scientists, manufacturers and suppliers an opportunity for holistic conversation to begin to pave the way for sustainability in the footwear industry.

Addressing U.S. connections to China-based firms in the global footprint of footwear production is central to this discussion. Because the majority of manufacturing and materials suppliers are located in China, the impact of Chinese facilities operations and building maintenance on the environment is tremendous in that part of the world. These foreign impacts are a principle contribution to the final product’s environmental footprint and must be taken into account. Improving the practical and effective strategies on energy and water consumption and reducing solid waste and toxic releases in China will result in a contaminant reduction in the industry’s global environmental footprint.

Greening the footwear industry can only be achieved by addressing all aspects of the supply chain and corporate operations. Together, we can reinvent the footwear industry’s image to the consumer as we reduce the industry’s footprint on the environment. Transparency, authenticity and commitment are essential for success. We can – we must – begin this journey now.

Please join us, and let's get started!