Nike縮編，Lulu升級ESG戰略

在全球時尚與運動品牌加速邁向淨零排放與供應鏈透明化的大勢之下，Lululemon近日宣布，延攬Nike（耐吉）前全球永續長（Chief Sustainability Officer）Noel Kinder出任永續資深副總裁，全面掌舵企業ESG與氣候行動策略。此舉不僅標誌品牌邁向循環經濟的下一步，也反映時尚產業對高階永續人才的激烈競爭。

Lululemon Appoints Former Nike Chief Sustainability Officer as SVP to Lead ESG and Climate Strategy Amid Industry-Wide Green Transition

Amid a global shift toward net-zero emissions and supply chain transparency in the fashion and athletic wear industries, Lululemon has announced the appointment of Noel Kinder - former Chief Sustainability Officer at Nike - as Senior Vice President of Global Sustainability. This move not only signals Lululemon’s next step toward a circular economy but also highlights the intense competition for top sustainability talent in the fashion sector.

Kinder已於上週正式加入Lululemon，將負責制定並執行全球永續與環境策略，包括氣候治理、供應鏈責信、資源循環與利害關係人參與，並直接向首席供應鏈長Ted Dagnese報告。

Kinder officially joined Lululemon last week and will be responsible for developing and executing the company’s global sustainability and environmental strategies. His portfolio includes climate governance, supply chain accountability, resource circularity, and stakeholder engagement. He will report directly to Chief Supply Chain Officer Ted Dagnese.

永續領導力成時尚產業競爭新焦點

在綠色轉型與氣候揭露要求日益加嚴的當下，ESG不再只是品牌價值的加分項，而是關乎市場進入門檻與投資吸引力的核心競爭力。隨著歐盟企業永續揭露指令（CSRD）、美國證交會（SEC）氣候揭露規則與《強迫勞動預防法》（UFLPA）相繼上路，品牌對於供應鏈盡職調查與ESG策略能力的需求激增，企業間也掀起「永續高管爭奪戰」。

“Noel brings global perspective and cross-disciplinary expertise,” said Dagnese. “His leadership will accelerate our ability to deliver impactful sustainability outcomes.”

Sustainability Leadership Emerges as a Competitive Edge in Fashion

As green transformation and climate disclosure requirements tighten, ESG is no longer a mere brand value enhancer but a critical component of market access and investment appeal. With the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the U.S. SEC’s climate disclosure rules, and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) coming into effect, brands are under increasing pressure to strengthen due diligence and ESG capabilities - triggering a race for experienced sustainability executives.

Noel Kinder的加入正是此趨勢的縮影。他在Nike任職近25年，其中五年擔任永續長，是推動企業科學基礎減碳（SBTi）與產品再設計的關鍵推手。Kinder於2024年2月從Nike離職，當時Nike正在縮編其永續部門，據估約30%的ESG相關職位遭裁撤，引發業界對大型企業「ESG降溫」與策略重塑的討論。

與Nike調整策略形成對比，Lululemon選擇在此時加碼ESG，被視為逆勢布局、鎖定下一階段競爭優勢的信號。

時尚循環經濟加速 人才與技術雙布局

Noel Kinder’s appointment is emblematic of this trend. With nearly 25 years at Nike - including five years as CSO - he played a pivotal role in advancing science-based carbon reduction targets (SBTi) and product redesign for sustainability. Kinder left Nike in February 2024, at a time when the company was downsizing its sustainability team, reportedly cutting about 30% of ESG-related positions. The move sparked industry-wide debate over whether major corporations were retreating from ESG commitments and reshaping their strategies.

In contrast to Nike’s retrenchment, Lululemon’s investment in ESG at this juncture is seen as a strategic bet on long-term competitive advantage.

Lululemon近年在永續材質與產品回收上動作頻頻。2024年，其與澳洲新創Samsara Eco合作推出全球首款以酵素回收技術製成的再生尼龍（nylon 6,6）產品，搶佔高機能環保布料的創新話語權。Kinder的加入，亦將有助Lululemon深化其在供應鏈碳足跡揭露、生態設計與氣候韌性策略上的整合。

Kinder表示：「Lululemon是一個以創新領先、對氣候與社會責任深具承諾的品牌。我期待與團隊攜手，創造具體而持久的改變。」

Accelerating the Circular Economy: Talent Meets Technology

Lululemon has been actively expanding its efforts in sustainable materials and product take-back programs. In 2024, it partnered with Australian startup Samsara Eco to launch the world’s first product made from enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6, positioning itself at the forefront of high-performance sustainable textiles. Kinder’s arrival is expected to further integrate Lululemon’s supply chain carbon footprint disclosures, eco-design initiatives, and climate resilience strategies.

“Lululemon is a brand defined by innovation and deep commitments to climate and social responsibility,” said Kinder. “I look forward to working with the team to create meaningful and lasting impact.”

目前Kinder亦擔任Greenplaces與Collaborative Fund等永續組織顧問，過去亦曾參與紐約證交所永續顧問委員會與全球時尚峰會指導委員會。

Kinder also serves as an advisor to sustainability organizations such as Greenplaces and Collaborative Fund, and has previously contributed to the New York Stock Exchange Sustainability Advisory Council and the Global Fashion Summit Steering Committee.

結語：ESG重整期下的策略分歧

Conclusion: Strategic Divergence in the ESG Reset Era

隨著全球品牌對ESG的重視進入「策略重構期」，一些企業選擇精簡內部部門、將永續外包，而另一些則選擇擴大投資，鎖定長期回報與品牌差異化。Lululemon的選擇突顯後者路徑的重要性：在氣候風險、人權盡調與資源緊縮成為企業經營新常態之際，ESG不是附加選項，而是企業韌性與信任資本的關鍵基礎。

As brands around the world enter a "strategic restructuring phase" in their ESG journeys, some are choosing to downsize internal departments or outsource sustainability functions, while others are doubling down on investments to secure long-term returns and brand differentiation. Lululemon’s choice underscores the importance of the latter path: in an era where climate risk, human rights due diligence, and resource scarcity have become new business norms, ESG is no longer a nice-to-have - but a foundational pillar for corporate resilience and trust capital.