Sorel

Sorel appears to heavily rely on high emissions and/or synthetic materials while also using some lower emissions materials. Sorel appears to rely on conventional rubber, which greatly increases its environmental impact. However, it uses responsibly sourced leather, including LWG-certified leather. Commons couldn't find any stated plans to increase low emissions materials and/or decrease synthetic materials.

Sorel's parent company, Columbia Sportswear Company, shares information on its energy strategy. Columbia Sportswear Company uses some renewable energy to power its own production sites and corporate offices. It also has targets for expanding its use of renewable energy. It implements energy efficiency measures in its production sites and corporate offices. Sorel sources and manufactures its materials globally, which is standard practice in the textile industry.

Sorel uses plastic-free packaging, relying instead on recyclable and 100% recycled cardboard. It is part of the Responsible Packaging Initiative.

Sorel offers a 1 year warranty where it repairs or provides store credit. It gives basic care instructions that can help extend product lifespan. Its parent company is piloting a repair services program.

Sorel doesn't offer a take back program to help keep its products out of landfill.

Sorel offers some products across multiple seasons but also releases new items seasonally each year.

Commons is still evaluating this brand's marketing emails.

Sorel has a prominent sustainability page with comprehensive details on its climate strategy. It's parent company publishes annual reports, with limited, high-level information on initiatives and impact. Its last annual report was published in 2023.

Sorel's parent company, Columbia Sportswear Company, previously measured its emissions, but doesn't currently share its findings. The last report was in 2022, but only included scopes 1 and 2. The company has never disclosed its scope 3 emissions, which are estimated to be 95% of its footprint. We expect more transparency and accountability from large brands.

Commons couldn't find emissions reduction targets for this brand or its parent company, Columbia Sportswear Company. Larger brands have an outsized impact and responsibility to reduce their emissions, and Columbia Sportswear Company investors have recently pushed the company to set targets extending to scope 3. Commons couldn't find evidence that this brand offsets any emissions.

Sorel's parent company, Columbia Sportswear Company publishes information about its supply chain partners, disclosing their names and locations across Tier 1 (final production manufacturing), Tier 2-3 (materials and packaging sourcing). It traces some of its supply chain, but doesn't comprehensively share its findings. It publicly shares a supplier code of conduct, which ensures the right to collective bargaining, prohibits forced labor, prohibits child labor. Its code of conduct doesn't disallow unauthorized subcontracting, ensure a living wage, establish grievance mechanisms, or include clear environmental clauses. Columbia Sportswear Company doesn't have a stated policy of regularly auditing its supply chain partners. This may increase human and environmental risks.