Gap Meets Target, Pledges Even Deeper Emissions Cuts

Clothing retailer Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) pledged to cut its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 20% by 2015, compared to 2008 levels.

The company successfully met its target of cutting GHG emissions 20% from 2003-2008.

These are some of the details in its fifth Social and Environmental Responsibility report, which covers supply chain operations, environmental programs and community investment efforts from 2009-2010, during which time the company reported $14.7 billion in net sales.

Some of the highlights include:

• Redesigned packaging and shipping containers eliminated 57,000 tons of cardboard and 63 million yards of plastic bands a year from US operations, savings $20 million annually.
• Distribution centers reduced electricity use 40% by replacing 16,000 light bulbs with energy efficient ones.
• The P.A.C.E. program (Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement) educated 5,000 female factory workers on life and work skills in Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, and will expand to  Bangladesh this year.
• Introduction of a Human Rights Policy that extends to the more than one million workers in 1,200 factories that manufacture Gap products.
• Employees at the company’s Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy stores doubled their volunteer efforts in 2010 over the previous year, tallying 428,000 hours of volunteer time, bringing total donations of time and money to more than $16 million.

Here’s the report: