Canadian outdoor apparel brand Arc’teryx has issued an official apology after sponsoring a controversial fireworks display in the Himalayan region of Tibet. The high-end outdoor apparel brand teamed up with Cai Guo-Qiang, the main artist responsible for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games’ fireworks, to stage the colorful high alpine event.
The marketing stunt was in clear violation of Arc’teryx’s stated environmental values despite the use of biodegradable pyrotechnics and relocating local livestock prior to the show. Arc’teryx has already begun mitigating the environmental and social impacts the event and have taken full responsibility for their lapse in judgement. Read the official apology below.
Arc’teryx Apology:
The recent fireworks display on the Tibetan Plateau was out of line with Arc’teryx’s values. We’ve heard your concerns, and we share them.
This event was in direct opposition to our commitment to outdoor spaces, who we are, and who we want to be for our people and our community. We are deeply disappointed that this happened, and apologize, full stop.
We’re addressing this directly with the local artist involved, our team in China, and will change the way we work to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Our expectation is that everything we do reflects our environmental ethos, and we have no tolerance for actions that do not align. We have already begun efforts to mitigate the environmental and social impacts of this event.
We are grateful to our community for holding us accountable.
Sustainability: Designed For The Long Run
Our long term thinking on sustainability through the lens of product philosophy, responsible manufacturing, and community engagement.
Our obsession with design is not just about a jacket
Design is a matter of consequence. We have to think beyond the immediate goal of crafting exceptional product – we need to think about our impact on people and the planet. The urgency of the climate crisis broadens how we think about ourselves and the way we approach business.
We want to use the best materials and create the most refined and durable products possible. We want to make it easier for you to keep your gear in play. We want to empower people to find inspiration in nature, design and one another. We want to acknowledge our interdependence with one another and the living world, and that climate justice can’t be achieved without addressing global inequities, together.
Guided by design, community, science and passion, we have committed to halve our environmental footprint and grow our positive social impact. We align with the circularity principles of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and are pursuing circularity as part of our path to net zero.
