Sports company PUMA has recently announced a new initiative that looks to evolve how the brand navigates its corporate sustainability journey by including the next generation’s insights, perspectives and recommendations. The project, known as Voices of a RE:GENERATION, will kick off with PUMA collaborating and giving a ‘seat at the table’ to four, young, environmentalist ‘voices’ from across Europe and the Unites States over a year-long period.
What is the purpose of ‘Voices of a RE:GENERATION’?
Part of PUMA’s ongoing commitment to a Forever Better, the four chosen Voices of a RE:GENERATION will work with PUMA to translate sustainability in a way that makes sense in this day and age and to engage with the next generation. Additionally, they will be feeding into how the company can drive greater sustainability practices, in line with its 10 for 25 targets.
Work will take on an honest and candid consultancy format, with the voices sharing their perspectives and insights as well as identifying areas where PUMA, a global brand can improve.
Making up PUMA’s ‘Voices of a RE:GENERATION’ will be:
- Alice Aedy – UK-based visual storyteller, documentarian and co-founder of Earthrise Studio, an impact-driven media company focused on human stories from climate frontlines.
- Andrew Burgess – US-based upcycler determined to change the way people consume clothing and fashion through his own creations.
- Luke Jaque-Rodney – Germany-based sustainable and healthy living vlogger who explores better ways to live sustainably.
- Jade Roche – France-based visual artist and creative consultant working with brands to improve how they communicate.
PUMA’s Voices of a RE:GENERATION represents a continuation of the work PUMA started in September 2022 with its ‘Conference of the People, powered by PUMA’ event in London. The conference, which discussed solutions for some of the fashion industry’s most pressing sustainability challenges with a special focus on Gen- Z, highlighted the need for brands to improve transparency and conduct much better communication regarding sustainability.
The new initiative builds upon the brand’s commitment to ensuring PUMA’s sustainability initiatives are digestible for everyone, particularly for the next generation, after research conducted by PUMA found that 71% of young people felt their voices were not being heard when it comes to concerns about the environment and would like to see brands making more commitments (49%), communicating their goals better (40%) and being more transparent (34%).
Throughout 2023, PUMA’s Voices of a RE:GENERATION will meet with Anne-Laure Descours, PUMA’s Chief Sourcing Officer, and PUMA’s Sustainability team to collaborate and present their honest views. Working together, the partnership will explore actionable ways that feedback can be implemented within PUMA’s business and sustainability strategy, whilst also using the voices’ platforms to communicate PUMA’s efforts transparently and authentically to the world.
Voices of a RE:GENERATION is just one step further in years of progress for PUMA towards brand sustainability. In 2022, the brand topped the Business of Fashion sustainability ranking, the Platform for Living Wage financials ranking, and the FTSE4Good ranking within its sectors.
It was included in the Corporate Knights global top 100 most sustainable companies ranking, maintained its triple-A ranking with MSCI and its prime status with ISS; two leading sustainability rating agencies. Reuters ranked it as number two within its sector and, in S&P sustainability benchmarking, it outperformed other sports brands for the first time since 2010.
What did executives have to say about PUMA’s project?
Speaking on the new initiative Anne-Laure Descours, Chief Sourcing Officer at PUMA, commented and said: “We have always documented our progress regarding sustainable practices. However, our participation in Conference of the People has shed light on the fact that the information we share isn’t always easily understood by the future generations.”
“We recognise need for change and we’re committed to making sustainability more accessible and transparent to everyone. Voices of a RE:GENERATION is our first step in improving this.”
Alice Aedy, UK, commented and said: “Sustainability is highly unglamorous, technical but urgent work with impacts for both people around the world and the entire planet. It’s undeniably a hugely complex topic. It’s deeper than just materials or emissions; it’s about the people and processes that strive behind the scenes to realise a brand’s efforts to be more sustainable. It’s also about how the brand, like PUMA, is communicating that with authenticity”.
Andrew Burgess, USA, comments and says: “Sustainability cannot be one-sided. You can’t have one brand calling the shots, especially when you have consumers around the world interacting with your products. I’m looking forward to delving deep into PUMA’s sustainbility efforts and sharing my take on how they can improve. It’s time our generation had a seat at the table”.
Luke Jaque-Rodney, Germany, comments: “We can all try our best to live and dress sustainably, but ultimately, we’re at the mercy of the brands we buy our clothing from. We know that one person can’t make a difference alone, but our voices are still powerful when combined and communicated with the right people and the right brands, like PUMA. This is very exciting”.
Jade Roche, France, says: “It’s great to see a global brand like PUMA holding itself more accountable for their sustainability and being willing to having these tough conversations when it comes to how they’re doing and planning. It’s also time that we, started discussing what sustainability really means; what does it take for a brand to achieve greater sustainability on all aspects while being transparent, and what exactly does it look like for the next generation?”
