From News Desk

Over the past year, the co-op took meaningful steps to reduce its impact on the planet and support the long-term health of the places and communities. This work reflects its climate strategy, bringing cooperative action together to drive change with speed and scale.

“When companies come together, climate action becomes more real and more lasting,” said Andrew Dempsey, Director of Sustainability, REI Co-op. “We’re grateful for the partners who’ve helped make this work possible. We’re focused on continuing this work and backing solutions that make a real difference for communities and help keep the outdoors healthy for the future.”

A key part of the co-op’s efforts in 2025 supported local clean energy projects in the communities where they operate. Over the past year, we worked with partners to help develop several new renewable energy initiatives, including –

• A new 2.5MW community solar project in Woodbury, MN being developed by US Solar. This initiative will enable nearly 500 low-to moderate-income households to subscribe to renewable energy, reducing utility bills and adding clean power to the grid near REI’s Bloomington store.
• An aggregated Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Carhartt and other partners, helping to accelerate renewable energy development in Texas by adding 18.5 MW of solar energy to the grid.

Students will gain hands-on field experience studying South Florida’s wetlands, rivers and coastal ecosystems, connect with environmental scientists; and return to their communities as ambassadors for climate resilience. The programme builds on the renewable energy investments across Florida and shows how clean energy can support people as well as the planet.

REI signed a three-year agreement with Ambercycle to purchase 200 tons per year of their innovative cycora regenerated polyester that uses recycled textile waste as a feedstock to make new, high-quality materials. This step will help REI cut emissions, reduce waste and move toward a more “circular” lifecycle for the products they make.

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