Nike and Sustainability

Nike, a global leader in athletic footwear and apparel, is committed to advancing sustainability through innovation. Its purpose is to inspire and innovate for every athlete while moving the world forward by building community, protecting the planet, and increasing access to sport. Responding to the industry's significant environmental impact, Nike has established ambitious goals under its "Move to Zero" initiative, aiming to power all owned facilities with 100% renewable energy by 2025 and divert 99% of its footwear manufacturing waste from landfills.

The Space Hippie project exemplifies Nike's commitment to sustainability by striving to create the lowest carbon footprint shoe in the company's history. In 2019, Nike tasked a small team with designing a shoe that would maintain performance, comfort, and aesthetic appeal while being manufacturable with readily available materials and contributing meaningfully to the company's climate goals. This project challenged Nike to reconsider all aspects of its established practices, from design and materials to manufacturing and marketing, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in innovation.