American Eagle Outfitters – Diana Lee – 2018

Goals

American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), an American apparel retailer, enlisted EDF Climate Corps fellow Diana Lee to calculate their greenhouse gas inventory for AEO Mexico operations and the global supply chain. This new greenhouse gas inventory will be used as a baseline for AEO’s next five-year sustainability goal.

Solutions

After collecting and analyzing utility, transportation and clothing material data, Lee determined that AEO’s scope 3 emissions, specifically for clothing material, were the company’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. She recommended strategies to increase store energy efficiency and identified strategic initiatives for AEO to join, which included Business Renewables Center and CanopyStyle.

Potential Impact

With these recommendations, AEO could potentially decrease AEO’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50,000 MT CO2e. Joining Business Renewables Center and CanopyStyle will also educate AEO associates about potential opportunities for greenhouse gas reductions and monetary savings, further solidifying AEO’s role in sustainability.